Box Score

It may have started like any other night in the season, but Monday night's game for the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team turned into a historic occasion as junior pitcher Gregory Loukinen tossed the program's first no-hitter in a 6-0 victory against Reinhardt University.

The left hander struck out eight batters and did not walk a batter in the dominating showing that was nearly perfect.

"Everything felt good warming up. My changeup (pitch) was really working well. It got a lot of swing and misses. It also was producing a lot of ground balls," said Loukinen.

Only three Reinhardt hitters managed to get on base against Loukinen, who needed just 95 pitches to post his third victory of the season. One baserunner came on a hit-by-pitcher in the first inning and two others came on defensive errors by the Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, GGC's offense supported Loukinen's effort by striking for three runs in the first inning and held a 4-0 lead after the second frame. Junior Brandon Frazier hit a two-run single in the first inning. Freshman Walter Coursey added a sacrifice fly one inning later.

Junior Onassis Matos connected on a solo home run in the ninth to round out the team's 10-hit offensive attack.

Loukinen's no-hitter came with two different catchers behind the plate. Senior Ryan Lark started the game behind the plate before turning it over to Matos.

"I trust both of them a lot. I love throwing to them. I was confident that whatever they put down for me to pitch was the right way to attack the hitters," said Loukinen, who threw his second career no-hitter. His first effort came during his junior year of high school in the district championship game.

Turning Point

Early run support helped Gregory Loukinen settle into a rhythm of the game. The Grizzlies scored three times in the first inning and led 4-0 after the top of the second inning.

"Our hitters had great approaches at the plate and were locked in. That made my job a lot easier," noted Loukinen.

Key Plays

Top of First

Marcus McCorkle hit a run-scoring single to open the scoring

Brandon Frazier gave GGC a 3-0 lead with a two-run single

 

Top of Second

Walter Coursey drove in C.J. Ballard with a sacrifice fly to center field

 

Top of Ninth

Onassis Matos connected on a solo home run

 

Bottom of Ninth

Gregory Loukinen got Reinhardt's Kaleb Swayze to ground out to second base to complete the no-hitter

 

By The Numbers

• GGC tallied 10 hits in the contest
• The team drew five walks
• Junior Alex Garland and freshman Walter Coursey each recorded two hits in the win
• Only three base runners reached for Reinhardt (one hit by pitch and two errors); One baserunner managed to get to third base but couldn't advance further

News & Notes

• Gregory Loukinen's no-hitter was the first in Georgia Gwinnett College baseball history
• GGC improves to 30-8 on the season; Reinhardt drops to 28-12 this season
• The Grizzlies are ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 poll; Reinhardt is receiving votes in the poll

Up Next

The two teams conclude the home-and-home series with a single nine-inning game Tuesday, April 10, at 6 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

VIDEO OF FINAL OUT