LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Senior-year players led the way for the No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team in a doubleheader split against Brenau University on Saturday at the Grizzly Softball Complex.
The Grizzlies (35-13) won the opener 5-1 before losing 7-6 in eight innings.
In the first game, GGC scored two runs in the first inning and built a 3-1 lead after two innings. Senior Tori Robinson hit a sacrifice fly and senior Elyssa Melton connected on a RBI single in the opening inning. Junior Sydney Willhite had a RBI groundout to create the 3-1 lead.
The hosts added two more runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-1 advantage. Senior Aubree Cox hit a run-scoring single, and Willhite added a RBI fielder’s choice.
Senior pitcher Taylor Hansis scattered seven hits in the complete-game victory.
GGC committed five defensive errors in the second game and Brenau rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the fifth inning. The visitors used a three-run sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead. Then, Robinson would force extra innings with a sacrifice fly that scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
A throwing error allowed Brenau to score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Junior RaeQuinn Rossetti went 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot in the batting lineup in the second game. Senior Crystal Busbee scored three runs, including the game-tying run in the seventh inning.
Turning Point
The Grizzlies were leading 5-3 in the top of the fifth inning when the visitors rallied in the second game. Faith Grooms lined a two-run double off the wall in left field. A fielding error during the play would allow Grooms to come around to score, giving Brenau a 6-5 advantage.
Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of First
Tori Robinson hit a sacrifice fly to score RaeQuinn Rossetti for the first run
Elyssa Melton gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead with a run-scoring single
Bottom of Second
Sydney Willhite hit a RBI ground out to give the home team a 3-1 advantage
Bottom of Fourth
Aubree Cox connected on a run-scoring single to bring home Anya Vandersip
Sydney Willhite hit a fielder’s choice to score the second run of the inning
Second Game
Bottom of First
Piper Wagner connected on a sacrifice fly
Bottom of Fourth
Elyssa Melton hit a RBI single to give the Grizzlies a 3-1 lead
Top of Sixth
Three runs scored on Faith Grooms’ double and a GGC defensive error allowed Grooms to score, giving Brenau a 6-5 lead
Bottom of Seventh
Tori Robinson hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Crystal Busbee for the game-tying run
Top of Eighth
A throwing error by GGC allowed Tabitha Morrison gave the visitors the 7-6 advantage
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies collected 28 hits between the two games
- Senior Tori Robinson recorded nine assists from shortstop in the doubleheader
- GGC was 13-for-13 in stolen base attempts, with junior RaeQuinn Rossetti tallying four steals
- Senior Crystal Busbee scored four runs of the team’s 12 tallies in the doubleheader
News & Notes
- GGC stands 35-13 on the season; Brenau is 30-10 this spring
- Georgia Gwinnett College is ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Top 25 poll; Brenau was receiving votes in the same poll
- The Grizzlies lead the all-time series 6-2 between the two programs
- Prior to the doubleheader the GGC softball program honored seniors Crystal Busbee, Aubree Cox, Taylor Hansis, Courtney McKenzie, Elyssa Melton and Tori Robinson during Senior Day festivities
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College wraps up the regular season by hosting the University of Mobile (Ala.) on Friday, April 26, at 4 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex.