Box Score The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team continues to pass tests against NAIA nationally ranked opponents as the No. 2-ranked Grizzlies earned a 5-1 victory at No. 15 Middle Georgia State University Friday in the opener of a two-game weekend series.
The Grizzlies (24-4) are 17-4 this spring against teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25 poll at the time of the contest.
The visitors struck first with a RBI groundout from junior first baseman Alex Garland in the first inning. The team took a 2-0 lead one inning later on a sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Jordan Tylski.
GGC used a three-run fifth inning to break the game open. A two-run single by junior leadoff hitter C.J. Ballard brought home Tylski and junior Brandon Robinson. Ballard later scored on a base hit from senior designated hitter Marcus McCorkle.
The offense was plenty for junior pitcher Jonathan McKinney, who struck out five batters and scattered five hits in a strong 6.2-inning starting performance. It was the right hander's debut for GGC. Senior relievers Nick Andrews and Cole Uvila tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in relief to secure the victory.
Senior centerfielder Chris Jones, freshman second baseman Walter Coursey and Ballard each tallied two hits for the Grizzlies.
Turning Point
Leading 2-0, the Grizzlies broke the game open in the fifth inning. The first five batters reached safely for GGC as the visitors pushed across three runs. A two-run single from junior C.J. Ballard was followed two batters later by a run-scoring single by senior Marcus McCorkle.
Key Plays
Top of First
Alex Garland gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead with a RBI groundout
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Top of Second
Jordan Tylski connected on a sacrifice fly to score Chris Jones
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Top of Fifth
C.J. Ballard opened the key fifth inning with a two-run single
Marcus McCorkle stretched the Grizzlies' lead to 5-0 with a single
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Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies outhit Middle Georgia State 10-to-5
- Senior Chris Jones, junior C.J. Ballard and freshman Walter Coursey each collected two hits in the victory
- GGC successfully stole seven bases
News & Notes
- Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 24-4 on the season and has won five straight games; Middle Georgia State University falls to 24-10
- GGC is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 poll; the Knights are ranked No. 15
- GGC is 17-4 in games against NAIA Top 25 ranked teams
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College concludes the two-game weekend series at Middle Georgia State University Saturday, March 24, with a single nine-inning game that starts at 1 p.m. The Grizzlies and Knights play in Lawrenceville Tuesday, March 27, at 6 p.m.
