The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team started its final tune up for postseason play by hitting on all cylinders – hitting, pitching, base running and defense – in scoring a 15-2 victory to open a three-game series against Fisher College (Mass.) Monday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (41-8) had a seven-run second inning and added three runs in the third inning to build an early 10-2 advantage in the showdown between the two Association of Independent Institutions teams.

The victory was the 15th consecutive for GGC and the team now has a 30-2 record at home this season.

Junior C.J. Ballard gave the hosts a 3-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run double. A bases-loaded walk to freshman Walter Coursey scored the fourth run of the frame. Then, senior Marcus McCorkle provided the big hit in the inning, a three-run double.

Juniors Alex Garland and Brandon Frazier joined Ballard in collecting two hits in the contest. Nine different players registered a hit in the 12-hit attack. Junior Brandon Robinson, Ballard and Frazier each scored two runs in the victory.

Five Georgia Gwinnett College pitchers combined to strike out 16 Fisher hitters and limited the visitors to six hits. Also, the hosts didn't commit a defensive error in the field in the series-opening game.

Turning Point

Senior Marcus McCorkle provided the big blow in the seven-run second inning with a bases-clearing double that stretched the hosts' early lead to 7-0. A RBI fielder's choice, two-run double and a bases-loaded walk got GGC on the scoreboard with four runs earlier in the frame.

Key Plays

Bottom of Second

C.J. Ballard lined a two-run double to center field to give GGC a 3-0 lead

Marcus McCorkle cleared the bases with a double to cap the seven-run frame

Bottom of Third

Chris Jones hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Brandon Frazier while a Fisher fielding error allowed two additional runs to score on the play

Bottom of Fourth

Kade Carrigan drove in Nick Tanner with a run-scoring single

By The Numbers

• Twenty-one players saw action in the victory
• Four of GGC's 12 hits were doubles
• The Grizzlies outhit Fisher 12-to-6
• Georgia Gwinnett College's pitching staff tallied 16 strikeouts in the game, led by Hunter Peck and Cole Uvilawith five punch outs apiece

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 41-8 on the season; Fisher drops to 26-20 in 2018
• GGC is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies extended their winning streak to 15 games; the team is 30-2 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex in 2018
• GGC has won all seven meetings against Fisher

Up Next

The two teams conclude the regular season-ending series with a doubleheader Tuesday, May 1, at 3 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The doubleheader will feature two seven-inning contests.