Gruich had her best weekend as a Jag and played a key role in helping South Alabama pick up its second Sun Belt Conference road sweep of the season at Louisiana-Monroe. In her three games, Gruich batted .429. scored four runs, drove in five and recorded her first two home runs of the season, including a grand slam. The freshman first baseman also ended the weekend with a 1.286 slugging percentage, walked once and was hit twice for a .600 on-base percentage. Entering the weekend series with ULM, Gruich had recorded just on RBI this season. In the opener, Gruich reached all four of her plate appearances as she was hit by two pitches, walked and recorded her first home run of the season, while scoring three times. Gruich was instrumental late in helping the Jaguars tie the game up in the seventh and then take the lead for good in the ninth as she was hit by a pitch in both innings. Gruich came around to score her second run of the game in the seventh on a pinch-hit three-run home run by Gulledge and then she was hit again to reach before coming into score on Megan Harris’ RBI single. In the series finale, Gruich ignited the Jag offense in the top of the first as she belted a grand slam – one of four Jag home runs on the day – deep over the wall in left to give USA an early 4-0 lead.
