COSTA MESA, Calif. – The No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team capped its California trip by splitting a doubleheader Monday against No. 12 Vanguard University. The Grizzlies won the opener 3-2 before the Lions picked up a 9-1 win in six innings.
The Grizzlies had a 4-2 record during its first road trip to California after sweeping Menlo College on Sunday after splitting a pair of games Friday at No. 7 Hope International University.
Senior starting pitcher Taylor Hansis struck out nine batters in a complete-game victory in the Monday’s first game. The win was the team’s 30th of the season.
GGC (30-8) took a 2-1 lead in fourth inning following a sacrifice fly from senior Elyssa Melton. Senior Tori Robinson hit a triple to get into scoring position before scoring on Melton’s sacrifice fly.
Robinson would give GGC a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning with a run-scoring single.
Vanguard (30-8) threatened in the seventh inning by pushing across one run and having the potential game-tying run at third base. However, Hansis got a strikeout to end the game.
Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti and Robinson each had two hits to lead the team’s six-hit offensive attack in that game.
In the nightcap, Vanguard took a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning after scoring two runs during the fourth and fifth innings. The Lions added five runs in the sixth inning to take a commanding lead.
A sacrifice fly from sophomore Holly Janco scored freshman Sydney Pelaez in the fifth inning for the Grizzlies’ lone run of the game.
Turning Point
Vanguard was threatening a comeback in the bottom of seventh inning by scoring one run and having the potential game-tying run at third base. GGC led by a run, 3-2, when senior pitcher Taylor Hansis got a strikeout – her ninth of the game – to preserve the one-run victory.
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of Second
Morgan Pilbin connected on a RBI double as Vanguard took an early 1-0 lead
Top of Third
RaeQuinn Rossetti tied the game, 1-1, with a run-scoring single that brought home Anya Vandersip
Top of Fourth
Elyssa Melton hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Tori Robinson to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead
Top of Fifth
Tori Robinson hit a run-scoring single to left field for an insurance run
Bottom of Seventh
Taylor Hansis got a strikeout with runners on the corner bases to end the game and secure the 3-2 victory
Second Game
Bottom of Fourth
Lindsey Gilmore beat out an infield base hit to give Vanguard a 2-0 lead
Top of Fifth
Holly Janco hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Syndey Pelaez
Bottom of Fifth
Samantha Shaffer tripled down the left field line for the first of two runs in the frame
Inside The Numbers
- Vanguard outhit GGC by a 21-to-11 margin across the doubleheader
- The Lions stranded six baserunners in the first game
- Senior starting pitcher Taylor Hansis recorded nine strikeouts in the first game
- Senior Tori Robinson had eight RBI in the six games during the four games in California
News & Notes
- GGC stands 30-8 on the season; Vanguard is also 30-8 this spring
- Georgia Gwinnett College stood No. 4 in the NAIA Top 25 poll; Vanguard stood No. 12 in the same poll
- The Grizzlies went 4-2 during the California trip
- Monday’s doubleheader marked the first games between the two programs
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to celebrate Military Appreciation Day when Talladega College (Ala.) comes for a doubleheader Saturday, April 6, starting at 1 p.m. A special flyover is planned prior to the first pitch.