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March 13, 2018

We’re No. 1! Georgia Gwinnett College Softball

Tops NAIA Poll for First Time

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – For the first time in its six-year existence, the Georgia Gwinnett College softball program has captured the zenith of the NAIA Top 25 poll, being ranked the No. 1 team in the nation by a nationwide panel of coaches.

The Grizzlies garnered 16 of the 19 first-place votes in the first poll of the regular season, announced Tuesday, March 13, by the national office.

“It is a prideful moment for those associated with the program. I am proud of the players that have been a part of the program and proud of this year’s team to make the No. 1 ranking happen. The former players laid the foundation for other quality players to follow,” said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg, who has been the only head coach in program history.

GGC won its first 16 games and captured the 2018 National Fastptich Coaches Association Leadoff Classic during the first five weeks of this season. Along the way, the team earned two victories against opponents ranked in the preseason Top 25 poll, defeating No. 13 Ottawa University (Kan.) March 10 and No. 14 Reinhardt University Feb. 24.

Georgia Gwinnett College hosts Kentucky Christian University in a four-game series on Friday and Saturday, March 16-17, before facing the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Sunday, March 18. All games will be played at the Grizzly Softball Complex.