The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scattered 14 hits across eight different hitters, helping to account for double figures in runs for the first time, in defeating Missouri Baptist University 10-8 Friday afternoon from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies, the NAIA's No. 12-ranked team in preseason polling, have clinched the series victory over the No. 6-ranked Spartans by winning the first two games of the season-opening series. The team picked up an 8-7 triumph Thursday.

GGC scored a run in four of the first five innings to build a 9-3 advantage. Senior Chris Jones provided three hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning, and scored three runs in the victory. Junior C.J. Ballard collected two hits from the top of the batting lineup.

Junior Alex Garland tallied three hits and legged out a double.

Missouri Baptist (0-2) attempted a comeback with two runs in the eighth and three additional runs in the ninth inning. The Spartans brought the potential game-tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth, before Georgia Gwinnett College senior reliever Stone Kelly got a ground out for the game's final out.

Turning Point

The Grizzlies took advantage of two errors by Missouri Baptist in the fifth inning to score three runs and build a 9-3 lead. The first defensive miscue brought home the first run of the frame. Junior C.J. Ballard connected on a single to score junior Alex Garland. A double steal brought sophomore Cord Johnson home to give the Grizzlies an advantage that the visitors couldn't overcome.

Key Plays

Bottom of First

Tony Salvaggio hit a two-run single to left field, giving the Grizzlies an early 2-0 lead

Bottom of Third

Alex Garland doubled down the left field line to score Jordan Tylski to give GGC a 4-1 lead

Kade Carrigan's single to left field brought home Alex Garland to extend the lead to 5-1

Bottom of Fourth

Chris Jones homered down the right-field line to give GGC a 6-3 lead

Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit the Missouri Baptist 14-8 in the game
• Senior Chris Jones went 3-for-4, with three runs scored
• GGC scored in four of the first five innings
• Four players registered multiple hits in the victory
• Five players saw time on the mound for Georgia Gwinnett College; Senior Stone Kelly registered his first save of the season; and the team has recorded a save in both games of the series

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 2-0 on the season, while Missouri Baptist is 0-2 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 12 and Missouri Baptist No. 6 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; MBU qualified for the NAIA World Series last season
• GGC has scored two runs in the first inning of both games in the opening weekend of action
• By winning the first two games of the series, the team has won this season-opening series that features nationally ranked opponents

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College concludes the season-opening, three-game series with Missouri Baptist Saturday, Jan. 27, at noon from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.