Grizzlies Take Two from Softball in a Pair of Pitching Duals

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – At the Grizzley Softball Complex, the Lindsey Wilson softball team got two solid performances from its starting pitchers, but the offense ran into an even stronger rotation from Georgia Gwinnett as the 11th-ranked Grizzlies pulled off a twin bill sweep.

On the day, Cheyenne Sandoval and Za'Kiya Sizemore each contributed a team-high three hits, including a double apiece. Meanwhile, in the circle, Abigail Cruz and Grace Adams combined to allow only three earned runs in respective complete game appearances.

Game One | Georgia Gwinnett 4, Lindsey Wilson 1

The Blue Raiders were responsible for three fielding errors in the first outing on Friday afternoon, and the home side found a way to take full advantage of each of them.

Georgia Gwinnett got the scoring opened in the first frame off an infield miscue, but from that point, it appeared as though the defense was beginning to settle into the challenge.

Over the next four innings, Cruz managed to work around six hits while her wall of fielders behind her carded a clean sheet to help hold the Grizzlies to a one-run lead.

In the top leg of the third, the bats started to find a rhythm as Sizemore and Aleix Garayzar laid down back-to-back hits before a free pass to Tanlee Hudgins loaded the bases. With one down in the frame, Amanda Schick stepped up a sent a deep fly ball into center field, which while caught, gave enough time and space for Sizemore to score from third base and tie the game.

Following consecutive scoreless innings, Georgia Gwinnett got the break it was looking for with a three-piece in the bottom of the sixth.

The crooked number put up by the hosts proved to be the difference, and despite Lindsey Wilson putting a runner in scoring position in their final at-bat, the Blue Raiders could not stage the comeback.

Cruz was credited with her third loss of the season after firing six complete innings, surrendering one earned run, and striking out one.

Game Two | Georgia Gwinnett 2, Lindsey Wilson 0

Fans were treated to another battle from the circle in the second edition of the day's action.

After both sides successfully recorded a hit in the first inning, it was lights out dealing from Adams and Grizzlies' starter Annalise Wood.

Not a single hit was registered over the second, third, and fourth innings, and only two total base runners reached safely during that span on a walk and a fielder's choice.

In the fifth frame, however, Georgia Gwinnett clawed its way in front with a two-out, two-run triple, and that was all the Grizzlies needed to seal the deal.

Sizemore and Sandoval provided the Blue Raiders with their lone hits in the contest, and Adams closed with six complete innings, five hits allowed, one strikeout, and two earned runs.

Lindsey Wilson and Georgia Gwinnett are slated to meet again on Saturday with another doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m. CST.