Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

The Georgia Gwinnett College softball team closed out another successful season with a 11-3 loss in five innings Wednesday afternoon to top-seeded and No. 12-ranked William Carey University on the third day of the NAIA Opening Round Hattiesburg Bracket tournament, played on the Crusaders' home diamond.

The Grizzlies, the tournament's No. 3 seed, ended the season with a 30-24 record. They won an Opening Round game in the NAIA tournament for the 11th straight appearance and qualified for this year's tourney after winning the Continental Athletic Conference championship.

GGC actually enjoyed a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning against William Carey after getting a run-scoring single from junior third baseman Morgan McQuagge and taking advantage of a wild pitch after a third strike and a subsequent throwing error by the left fielder.

However, the Crusaders responded with eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and three more tallies in the fifth frame to close out the victory.

McQuagge had two of the team's eight hits. Adding solo hits to the offensive effort were senior designated player Summer Hickson, with a triple; senior second baseman Sara Roussel; senior center fielder Enna Lackey; and junior right fielder Sophie Sisk.

Senior pitcher Kailyn Berry and first baseman Savannah Jenkins also played their last games on the diamond for GGC.

The Grizzlies had one junior and two freshmen in the starting lineup for this postseason game. Two other freshmen were replacement players in the contest.   
 
Coach's Corner
"This team had a strong end to the season winning the conference championship and picking up a statement win during the Opening Round. Seniors Summer (Hickson), Kailyn (Berry) and Enna (Lackey) all had major contributions this postseason to win close games. Winning 30 games after having a losing record in the middle of the season is a testament to the character and the type of players we have in the program. We have a group of energetic returners looking to build off this season," said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
 
Turning Point
After taking a 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning, the Grizzlies gave up eight runs to William Carey in the bottom half of the frame on six hits, including run-scoring singles by Julia Shaw, Ryanne Hornby and Liz Cross with the bases loaded. Three more runs were added in the bottom of the fifth inning to close out the game.
 
Key Plays
Top of Fourth
Morgan McQuagge singled to center field, bringing home Kaitlyn Crumley for the first run of the game
Later, instead of being the third out of the inning on a strikeout, Brooke Rockhold managed to get to first base on a wild pitch; a subsequent defensive error allowed Morgan McQuagge and Summer Hickson to score, giving GGC a 3-0 advantage
 
Bottom of Fourth
Julia Shaw singled to left field, scoring Kinley Hogue
Ryanne Hornsby followed with a run-scoring single through a drawn-in defensive infield
A based-loaded walk to Harper Dupre brought in Lily Bittle with a run
Liz Cross hit a two-RBI single with the bases loaded, giving William Carey a 4-3 lead
Caroline Lindsey hit a sacrifice fly to center field with the bases loaded to score Harper Dupre from third base
Kinley Hogue had a two-RBI single to center field that scored Liz Cross and Brooklyn Montana for a 7-3 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Brooklyn Montana hit a triple down the left field line, with the bases loaded, that added three more runs for the Crusaders
 
Inside The Numbers

• William Carey outhit Georgia Gwinnett by a 10-8 margin in the game
• Senior Morgan McQuagge had two hits, one RBI and scored a run in the contest
• Senior Summer Hickson had a triple to account for one of the team's two extra-base hits in the game
• GGC did not make a defensive error for the third straight game in this year's Opening Round action

News & Notes

• GGC closes out its 2026 season with a 30-24 record; William Carey moves on with a 41-13 mark
• The Grizzlies received votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; William Carey stood No. 12 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett won an Opening Round game for the 11th straight NAIA tournament
• GGC was the No. 3 seed in the Hattiesburg Bracket; William Carey was the No. 1 seed