The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team flexed its muscle Saturday afternoon, connecting on five home runs in sweeping a doubleheader against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (13-4) scored a run in their first four innings to win the opener 12-5 before hitting home runs in three consecutive at bats to capture the second game 11-1 in seven innings.

Senior Alex Garland led the offensive attack, going 6-for-6 at the plate between the two games. He collected four hits in four at bats, with three RBI, and scored two runs in the first game. Garland then connected on a home run – his first of the season – and added an additional base hit in the nightcap.

GGC's three straight home runs came in the second inning of the second game. Senior Brody Wofford started the power surge with a two-run home run. Then, Garland followed with his round tripper and senior Brenton Burgess struck his fourth home run of the spring.

The consecutive homers came exactly a year after the Grizzlies hit four consecutive home runs in a contest against Madonna University (Mich.) in Lawrenceville.

Sophomore Livingston Morris hit a two-run home run during the opener and junior Gabe Austin rounded out GGC's home run hitters with a solo effort in the second inning of the first game.

Senior starting pitcher Gregory Loukinen improved to 4-1 on the season by scattering five hits and one run across seven innings of action in the first game. Senior Jonathan McKinney recorded the team's first complete game of the season by scattering 10 strikeouts across seven innings in the second game.


 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies used the long ball in the second game, connecting on home runs in three straight at bats during the productive second inning. Senior outfielder Brody Wofford launched a towering two-run home run over the right field fence. Senior first baseman Alex Garland followed with his first home run of the season, before senior designated hitter Brenton Burgess hit his fourth homer of the 2019 campaign. The power display gave GGC a 10-1 lead.
 



Key Plays
First Game
Bottom of Second
Gabe Austin homered to left field, giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Livingston Morris connected on a two-run home run
 
Bottom of Fourth
Alex Garland hit a two-run single as the Grizzlies scored in four consecutive innings to take a commanding lead
 
Bottom of Eighth
Ali LaPread scored a pair of runs with a double to give GGC a 9-4 lead
Livingston Morris hit a RBI single to cap a five-run frame
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
Brenton Burgess tripled to bring home Brody Wofford and Alex Garland, giving GGC a 3-0 lead
 
Bottom of Second
Brody Wofford connected on a two-run home run over the right field fence
Alex Garland followed with a home run to left field
Brenton Burgess hit a home run to left field as the Grizzlies hit three consecutive home runs to build a 10-1 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC tallied 25 hits in the doubleheader sweep
• The Grizzlies' defense did not commit an error across both games
• The team hit 13 extra-base hits (six doubles, two triples and five home runs) Saturday
• Senior starting pitcher Jonathan McKinney tossed the team's first complete game of the season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 13-4 on the season; Saint Xavier drops to 4-4 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies have won their last nine home games
• Saturday's games were the first meetings played between the two programs
• GGC hit three consecutive home runs in the second inning of the second game; The team connected on four straight home runs on March 2, 2018, against Madonna University (Mich.) 

Up Next
The two teams conclude the weekend series with a single nine-inning game on Sunday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The start time is being moved up due to the threat of rain in the weather forecast.