Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Seniors came up strong for the No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team Saturday, paving the way for a Senior Day sweep against Talladega College (Ala.), winning 8-4 and 11-7, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (39-8) scored six runs in the first inning of the opener and used a late rally to defeat the Tornadoes in the nightcap. Senior Marcus McCorkle scored four runs and drove in an additional four in the sweep.

Senior Tony Salvaggio added a RBI during the big first inning of the opening game.

Talladega (24-20) got within 7-4 in the seventh inning. However, junior Brandon Frazier delivered a RBI single to score McCorkle in the bottom half of the inning to stretch the lead to four runs, 8-4.

Sophomore starting pitcher Hunter Dollander struck out six batters over eight innings to improve to 6-1 on the season. Senior reliever Cole Uvila retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning of the first game.

The visitors took advantage of GGC defensive errors in the second inning to score six times and hold an early 6-2 lead. The Grizzlies' pitchers allowed two earned run in the contest.

Georgia Gwinnett College slowly chipped away at the deficit, scoring two runs in the fourth inning, and then took the lead for good behind a four-run sixth inning.

The first two runs in the pivotal sixth inning were scored on a Talladega throwing error. Freshman Nick Barnes tied the game, 7-7, with a run-scoring single to right field. A sacrifice fly from junior Onassis Matos gave the hosts the lead for good.

The team added three insurance runs in the eighth inning.

Sophomore Hunter Caudelle tossed three scoreless innings in relief to pick up the victory. Senior Nick Andrews retired the side in order in the ninth to seal the victory.

Freshman Walter Coursey collected five hits in the doubleheader and extended his hitting streak to 16 games – the longest by a GGC player this season.

Turning Point

Trailing 7-4 in the sixth inning, the Grizzlies took full advantage of a Talladega defensive error to take the lead for good in the nightcap. A throwing error on a bunt play allowed two runs to score. The throw went down the left field line after attempting to get the lead runner on the play. Those two runs cut the deficit to a one-run margin. GGC then got a run-scoring single and sacrifice fly to take an 8-7 lead.

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of First

Marcus McCorkle opened the scoring with a RBI single to right field

Tony Salvaggio was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded as GGC took a 2-0 lead

Jordan Tylski hit a two-run single to score Marcus McCorkle and Brandon Frazier

 

Bottom of Fourth

Marcus McCorkle brought home C.J. Ballard with a sacrifice fly to give the hosts a 7-2 lead

 

Bottom of Seventh

Brandon Frazier connected on a run-scoring single to close out the scoring

 

Second Game

Bottom of First

Marcus McCorkle hit a two-run single that scored Cord Johnson and Walter Coursey

 

Bottom of Fourth

Cord Johnson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the first of two runs in the inning

Walter Coursey drove home Sean Mootrey on a fielder's choice to cut Talladega's lead to 6-4

 

Bottom of Sixth

A throwing error allowed for Jordan Tylski and C.J. Ballard to score

Nick Barnes lined a run-scoring single to right field to tie the contest, 7-7

Onassis Matos hit a sacrifice fly to score Cord Johnson with the go-ahead run

 

Bottom of Eighth

Walter Coursey scored on a throwing error at second base

Onassis Matos singled to right field for the second of three runs in the inning

Brandon Frazier hit a RBI double down the right-field line

 

By The Numbers

• Georgia Gwinnett College tallied 21 hits in the doubleheader, including 11 hits in the opener
• The Grizzlies drew 11 walks and were hit by a pitch five times in the two games
• Walter Coursey went 5-for-9 in the two games; he extended his hitting streak to 16 games – the longest by a player this season
• GGC's pitching staff collected 12 strikeouts in the doubleheader

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 39-8 on the season; Talladega drops to 24-20 this spring
• GGC is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The baseball program honored 10 seniors during pregame Senior Day festivities
• The team is 28-2 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex in 2018

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Truett-McConnell University Monday, April 23, at 3 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.