WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The red-hot Georgia Gwinnett College softball team’s offense continued to shine Thursday, leading to a pair of five-inning victories at the University of the Cumberlands.
The Grizzlies (19-5) used a six-run third inning to win the opener 10-0, and then used a six-run fourth inning in the nightcap for a 12-1 victory. The team has outscored its opponents 43-5 during the current four-game winning streak, with each contest lasting five innings.
Senior Elyssa Melton led GGC with five hits and scoring four runs. Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti scored five runs in the doubleheader sweep, including four runs in the second game.
Melton hit a double during the big third inning of the first contest. Senior Crystal Busbee and sophomore Piper Wagner added run-scoring base hits later in the frame.
Sophomore Holly Janco gave the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead in the third inning of the second game with a triple to right field bringing home Rossetti. A throwing error on the play then allowed Janco to score.
One inning later, Janco delivered a two-run base hit with two outs to begin a six-run frame. Melton provided a run-scoring single later in the inning.
GGC collected 22 hits across the two games.
Senior starting pitcher Taylor Hansis struck out nine batters in picking up the shutout in the opener. Then, freshman Alexa Good picked up her second win in the circle after scattering three hits in the complete-game performance in the nightcap.
Turning Point
Georgia Gwinnett broke the first game open by scoring six runs in the top of sixth inning – all coming with two outs. Sophomore Holly Janco drove in a pair of runs with a single through the right side of the infield. Aggressive base running led to a third run to score on a play as junior RaeQuinn Rossetti scored when a throw from the outfield went to second base. This was followed by a Cumberlands’ fielding error, a RBI single from GGC senior Elyssa Melton and two hit batters with the bases loaded to cap a productive offensive inning.
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Second
Ruth Jones hit a double off the left field wall to bring home Piper Wagner, giving GGC a 1-0 lead
Top of Third
A Cumberlands’ fielding error allowed Aubree Cox to score
Sydney Willhite lined a RBI single to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage
Elyssa Melton connected on a double to bring home Holly Janco
Crystal Busbee followed with a run-scoring single
Piper Wagner hit a RBI single to score the fifth of six runs in the frame
Top of Fifth
Another fielding error by the hosts allowed Piper Wagner and Ruth Jones to score
Second Game
Top of Third
Holly Janco gave the visitors a 3-1 lead by legging out a RBI triple; she would then score on a throwing error during the play
Top of Fourth
Holly Janco drove in a pair of runs with a two-out single and RaeQuinn Rossetti scored on a throw to second base
Elyssa Melton hit a RBI single to bring home the fourth run in the six-run inning
Crystal Busbee and Ruth Jones were hit by pitches to bring runs to the plate
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies outhit the Patriots by a 22-to-5 margin in the doubleheader sweep
- Senior Elyssa Melton went 5-for-7, with four runs scored, in the two games
- Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti scored five runs for the Grizzlies, including four runs in the second game
- GGC pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 19-5 on the season; Cumberlands stands 6-8
- Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
- The team is 10-4 on the road so far this spring
- GGC has collected 10 or more hits in four straight games
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Sunday, March 10, at 1 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.