Continuing to seize on late-inning opportunities, the No. 12-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team posted its fourth come-from-behind victory of the season, paving the way for a doubleheader sweep of No. 22 Indiana Institute of Technology Friday at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The victories completed a three-game series sweep – the second straight home sweep of a nationally ranked opponent in the young 2018 season.

The Grizzlies (8-1) used a three-run ninth inning to rally to a 9-8 walk off 10-inning victory in the opening game, and then coasted to a 6-2 triumph in the nightcap.

Back-to-back doubles by senior Kade Carrigan and freshman Cam Coursey tied the first game, 8-8, in GGC's last at bat in the first game. A few batters later, freshman Cord Johnson helped the host complete the comeback with a run-scoring single to bring home Coursey.

Georgia Gwinnett College had enjoyed a 4-0 lead until Indiana Tech pushed across seven runs in the fifth inning. The visitors had an 8-6 lead before the comeback.

In the second game, a two-run double by senior Marcus McCorkle in the fifth inning gave the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead. The team added three insurance runs in the eighth inning to seal the series sweep.

Junior left handed pitcher Hunter Peck improved to 2-0 on the season after allowing two runs in six innings during the nightcap.

Turning Point

Trailing 8-6 in Friday's opener, the Grizzlies mounted a comeback for the second straight game in the series. A double to center field by senior Kade Carrigan began the comeback, with two outs, in the bottom of the ninth inning. It brought GGC to within a run, 8-7. Then, freshman Cam Coursey tied the game with a double that scored Carrigan. Fellow freshman Cord Johnson ended the game with a single to center field allowed a hustling Coursey to score the winning run from second base.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of Second

Chandler Burrow doubled down the left-field line to score Alex Garland and Cam Coursey, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead

Cord Johnson followed with a run-scoring double to cap a three-run frame

Bottom of Fifth

After Indiana Tech scored seven times in the top half of the inning to take a 7-4 lead, the Grizzlies answered with a run-scoring single by Nick Barnes

Bottom of Ninth

Kade Carrigan hit a double off the center field wall to score Nick Tanner and bring the Grizzlies within one run, 8-7

Cam Coursey followed with a two-out double to tie the game

Following a walk to Onassis Matos, Cord Johnson delivered the game-winning hit to bring home Coursey from second base, capping the thrilling 9-8 triumph

Second Game

Bottom of Fifth

Cam Coursey got GGC on the scoreboard with a RBI single driving home Kade Carrigan

Marcus McCorkle gives the hosts the lead, 3-2, with a two-run double down the left field line

Bottom of Eighth

Sean Mootrey adds insurance runs with a two-run single to left field

Inside The Numbers

• GGC collected 21 hits in the two games
• Cord Johnson went 5-for-9 Friday from the leadoff spot in the team's batting order
• The first two games of the series featured walk-off hits by the Grizzlies
• GGC's pitching staff recorded 13 strikeouts Friday

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 8-1 on the season; Indiana Tech falls to 5-4
• The Grizzlies have won their first three weekend series to open 2018. All nine games have been against NAIA Top 25 competition
• GGC is 6-0 in home games this season at the Grizzly Baseball Complex
• GGC was ranked No. 12 and Indiana Tech was No. 22 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies have won all four games between the two colleges. GGC picked up a victory in Lawrenceville last season

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Thomas University (Ga.) Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. from Thomasville, Ga.