FULLERTON, Calif. – Big innings paved the way for the Georgia Gwinnett College softball team to have a Sunday sweep against Menlo College in the second doubleheader of the program’s current California trip.
The No. 4-ranked Grizzlies (29-7) opened with four runs in the first inning to win the opener 9-1 in five innings. Then, six runs were pushed across home plate in the opening frame in the second contest, leading to an 11-1 victory, also in five innings, to complete the day’s sweep.
California native Anya Vandersip led the charge in the first game, going 2-for-2 with three RBI.
Junior Sydney Willhite provided the big hit in the opening frame of the first game, having a two-run double. Senior Elyssa Melton and Vandersip added run-scoring singles later in the frame.
The team added three more runs in the third inning.
GGC scored 11 runs on 12 hits in the second game. Senior Crystal Busbee paved the way by collecting three hits and scoring two runs. Senior Aubree Cox drove in three runs and was 2-for-2 at the plate. Freshman Sydney Pelaez collected two hits to round out the offensive performances.
Coach’s Corner
“The offense really came together and got several really good line-drive hits. At the same time, our pitchers commanded the zone and the defense played really well. Crystal (Busbee) had a
spectacular game. She really lifted the team in the first game and carried it over to the second game, with some hits and defensive plays at third base,” said Head Coach Kat Ihlenburg.
Turning Point
The Grizzlies struck early and often in both games of the doubleheader, tallying 10 runs in the first inning between the two games. A two-run double from senior Sydney Willhite opened the scoring in the first game. RBI base hits from seniors Elyssa Melton and junior Anya Vandersip added to the early run production.
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Sydney Willhite opened the scoring with a two-run double
Elyssa Melton brought home Sydney Willhite with a run-scoring single
Anya Vandersip hit a RBI single to right field in a return to her California roots
Top of Third
Elyssa Melton connected on a double off the left field wall to score Tori Robinson
Crystal Busbee hit a run-scoring double
Anya Vandersip hit a sacrifice fly as the Grizzlies took a 7-0 lead
Top of Fourth
Anya Vandersip added a RBI single to cap the team’s scoring
Second Game
Top of First
Tori Robinson had a RBI single to give the Grizzlies an early 2-0 lead
Sydney Pelaez connected on a two-run single during the team’s six-run frame
Top of Third
Aubree Cox brought home a pair of runs with a triple
A bases-loaded walk to Tori Robinson came during a five-run frame
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies tallied 22 hits between the two games, led by 12 hits in the nightcap
- The team registered seven stolen bases in the first game
- GGC starting pitchers Taylor Hansis and Alexa Good each scattered three hits in the twin complete-game victories
- The Grizzlies scored 10 runs in the first innings of Sunday’s games
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 29-7 on the season; Menlo falls to 14-24 in 2019
- Georgia Gwinnett College stood No. 4 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
- The team went 17-3 in March
- Sunday’s doubleheader marked the first games between the two programs
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 12 Vanguard University (Calif.) on Monday, April 1, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2 p.m. PT) from Costa Mesa to complete the current California trip.