LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Nine hits from the top two hitters in the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team’s lineup led to a pair of impressive victories, 8-1 and 6-0, against the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Sunday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.
GGC (21-5) also received strong pitching performances as senior Taylor Hansis and sophomore Piper Wagner went the distance in both games. Hansis recorded eight strikeouts in the first game while Wagner tossed her fifth shutout of the 2019 season.
Junior leadoff batter RaeQuinn Rossetti went 3-for-4 and scored two runs in the second game. Sophomore Holly Janco collected five hits in the doubleheader and added four runs from the second spot in the GGC batting lineup.
Leading 2-1 in the first game, GGC used aggressive base running to score two runs on one play in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Aubree Cox scored from first base after successfully stealing second base. She advanced home following a throwing error. Freshman Sydney Pelaez stole a run by breaking for home following Cox’s steal attempt.
The Grizzlies added four more runs in the fifth inning against USCB, which came into the doubleheader with a 19-1 record.
In the second game, GGC tallied 13 hits and had three players to record multiple-hit performances. Rossetti and Janco led the charge with three hits and two runs scored apiece. A steal of third base by Rossetti and subsequent throwing error gave the hosts a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning. Janco would score later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from senior Elyssa Melton.
Coach’s Corner
“We came out ready to play and were focused from the first pitch, taking down a team that has had a really hot start to the season. We now have a better understanding of where we are on the national profile. We had dynamic performances in the circle and had multiple players come through with two or more hits offensively,” said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
Turning Point
The Grizzlies broke the first game open by scoring six runs across the fourth and fifth innings. Leading 2-1, GGC used aggressive base running to score two runs on one play to grab a 4-1 lead. Senior Aubree Cox successfully stole second base. Then, on the same play, freshman Sydney Pelaez broke for home to score a run. A subsequent throwing error opened the gap that allowed Cox to score from second base. GGC added four runs one inning later.
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Elyssa Melton hit a sacrifice fly to score RaeQuinn Rossetti for the first run of the game
A wild pitch allowed Holly Janco to score
Bottom of Fourth
Sydney Pelaez successfully stole home during a double-steal attempt; Aubree Cox scored from second base after a throwing error
Bottom of Fifth
Sydney Willhite connected on a run-scoring double to bring home the first of four runs in the inning
Crystal Busbee hit a RBI single to score Sydney Willhite
Ruth Jones added a run-scoring single
Aubree Cox followed with a run-scoring base hit
Second Game
Bottom of Third
Elyssa Melton drove in two runs with a single to left field
Bottom of Fourth
RaeQuinn Rossetti successfully stole third base and advanced home following a throwing error
Elyssa Melton hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Holly Janco
Bottom of Sixth
Sydney Pelaez singled up the middle to bring home Ruth Jones
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies collected 22 hits in the doubleheader sweep
- Sophomore Holly Janco went 5-for-8 and scored four runs in the two games
- GGC pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts across the two games
- Senior Crystal Busbee recorded four assists from third base in each contest
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 21-5 on the season; USC Beaufort falls to 19-3
- Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; USC Beaufort was receiving votes in the same poll
- The team scored multiple runs in three innings within each contest
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Ga.) on Tuesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.