The No. 12 Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team hit two home runs and scored five runs in the final two innings for a 10-7 victory at No. 25 Webber International University Saturday afternoon. The triumph clinches the team's first road series this spring.

Freshman Nick Barnes sparked the visitor's offensive attack with four hits contributing to four runs. His first collegiate home run, a two-run blast in the sixth inning, gave GGC a 5-3 lead.

Webber International (0-4) would push across a run in each of the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game, 5-5.

But, GGC (5-0) had the final answer down the stretch. Sacrifice flies in the eighth inning by junior Brandon Frazier and freshman Cord Johnson gave the Grizzlies the lead for good, 7-5. Then, junior Alex Garland hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning for the big blow during a three-run frame.

Webber International got a run in the bottom of the ninth and brought the potential game-tying run to the plate. However, junior Jordan Tylski moved from being the starting shortstop to the closing relief pitcher to seal the victory. The right hander recorded two strikeouts for his second save of the season.

Turning Point

After Webber International tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh inning, the Grizzlies regained the lead for good with a pair of sacrifice flies in the eighth inning. GGC loaded the bases before a sacrifice by junior Brandon Frazier gave the visitors a 6-5 advantage. Then, freshman Cord Johnson had another sacrifice fly for an insurance run. The Grizzlies added three more runs in the ninth to close the game strong at the plate.

Key Plays

Top of Fourth

Brandon Frazier ties the game, 2-2, with a RBI single to right field

Nick Barnes gives the visitors a 3-2 advantage with a base hit as Jordan Tylski scores the second run of the frame

Top of Sixth

Nick Barnes connects on his first collegiate home run to break a 3-3 tie.

Top of Eighth

Sacrifice flies by Brandon Frazier and Cord Johnson give the visitors a 7-5 lead

Top of Ninth

Alex Garland hits the team's second home run of the day with a two-run blast to push GGC's lead to 10-6

Inside The Numbers

• GGC scored in five of the nine innings
• Webber International outhit the Grizzlies by a 13-to-10 margin
• The five GGC pitchers spread across 11 strikeouts
• Michael Cherwenka earned his collegiate win after striking out the only Webber International hitter he faced to complete the seventh inning
• Nick Barnes drove in four runs on four hits

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College stands 5-0 on the season, while Webber International drops to 0-4 in 2018
• The Grizzlies hit two home runs in a game for the first time this season
• GGC has won all three meetings in the all-time series between the two colleges
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 12 and Webber International is No. 25 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll. Both teams played in the 2017 Lawrenceville Opening Round of the NAIA tournament

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College goes for the series sweep in the finale Sunday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m.