LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The second trip to the NAIA World Series will have the second meeting this season between the Georgia Gwinnett College and Vanguard University (Calif.) softball teams. The game is set for 1 p.m. central Thursday, May 23, at Springfield, Mo.
The No. 8-seeded Grizzlies (42-14) and Lions, the No. 9 seed, split a doubleheader on April 1 during GGC’s six-game spring California trip. GGC won the opener 3-2 before Vanguard picked up a 9-1 win in the nightcap.
Thursday’s winner will advance to play No. 1-seeded University of Science & Arts (Okla.) on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. central time. The double-elimination NAIA World Series continues through May 29, when this year’s champion will be crowned.
Georgia Gwinnett College is playing in the World Series for the second straight season after sweeping three games to win the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round from May 13-15 at the Grizzly Softball Complex. The team has won six straight postseason games after also winning third straight games in the Association of Independent Institutions championships May 2-4 in Lawrenceville.
Meanwhile, Vanguard (46-11) advanced to the World Series by capturing the Hattiesburg (Miss.) Bracket by winning three successive games. The Lions have won 10 of their last 12 games.
GGC went 1-2 during last year’s NAIA World Series in Clermont, Fla. It marked the program’s first trip to the World Series.
Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti leads the team’s offensive attack with a .424 batting average, 54 runs scored, 67 hits and 42 stolen bases. She was named the 2019 Most Outstanding Player in the A.I.I. tournament.
Senior Tori Robinson is tops on the team with 52 RBI. She has connected on six home runs and is batting .366 in 2019. Junior Sydney Willhite leads the team with eight home runs, while hitting at a .365 clip.
Seniors Aubree Cox (.376) and Elyssa Melton (.367) round out the team’s balanced offensive attack.
Senior Taylor Hansis stands 25-7 with a 1.36 earned run average in the pitching circle. She has won all six games in this year’s postseason. Hansis also has won 25 games during both seasons the Grizzlies have reached the World Series, and holds school records for career victories (74) and strikeouts (562).
Sophomore Piper Wagner has a 10-2 record and 2.19 ERA. She recorded saves during Opening Round victories against LSU Alexandria and Rio Grande. Wagner also is an offensive threat when not in the circle, posting a .398 batting average, five home runs and 26 RBI while playing a variety of different positions on the field.
MEET THE COACHES
Georgia Gwinnett College: Kat Ihlenburg is in her seventh season leading the Grizzlies. She has guided the program to a 283-100-2 record, four trips to NAIA postseason play and two World Series appearances.
Vanguard: Beth Renkowski is in her 23rd season guiding the Lions. She has posted an 817-543-3 record.
ANOTHER WORLD SERIES TRIP
Georgia Gwinnett College is playing in the NAIA World Series for the second straight season after winning the 2019 Opening Round Lawrenceville Bracket. The team defeated No. 4-seed University of Rio Grande (Ohio) 4-2 in the championship game May 15.
NATIONAL RANKING
The Grizzlies, with a 42-14 record, enter the NAIA World Series ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Top 25 poll. The team was ranked in the top 10 of the national poll throughout this regular season.
BATTLE TESTED
GGC has played three teams that are playing in the 2019 NAIA World Series, posting a 3-5 record in games against those opponents. The team split doubleheaders with No. 5-seeded Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) and No. 9 Vanguard University (Calif.), while winning one of four games against No. 7 University of Mobile.
Over the last two seasons, the Grizzlies have played six of nine potential opponents in this year’s World Series. GGC has never played No. 2 Marian University (Ind.), No. 4 Southern Oregon University and No. 6 Valley City State (Ind.).
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia Gwinnett College and Vanguard split a doubleheader in Costa Mesa, Calif., on April 1 during GGC’s California trip.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Vanguard won the Hattiesburg (Miss.) Bracket behind a 5-1 win against the College of Idaho on May 15. The Lions stand 46-11 and have won 10 of their last 12 games. Samantha Shaffer leads the team with a .475 batting average. Tatiana Tabizon has 61 RBI, while Belle Herrera has hit seven home runs.
FOLLOW THE GRIZZLIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
GGCAthletics.com will be home for the latest news and information regarding the softball season. Video updates and stories will be provided by the Grizzly Digital Network. Keep track of GGC Athletics through the following social media: Twitter (@GGCAthletics), Facebook (GGCAthletics) and Instagram (GGCAthletics).