The No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team used a four-run fourth inning to pick up its third consecutive victory, defeating Truett-McConnell University (Ga.) 6-4 on Wednesday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

Two home runs sparked the rally for GGC (4-2), which trailed 4-1 after three innings. Senior Gabe Austin led off the fourth frame with a home run to cut the deficit to 4-2. Junior Tate Kight then squared the game, 4-4, with a two-run homer. Kight has now homered in three straight games.

The Grizzlies took a 5-4 advantage on a RBI ground out from junior Myles Smith to conclude the scoring in the big fourth inning.

Junior Gabe Howell brought home an insurance run in the seventh inning with a RBI triple.

Junior pitcher Matt Hunt struck out five batters in 4.2 innings during the midweek starting assignment. Freshman Tyler Clayton added three strikeouts in 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the victory. The left hander got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning to improve to 1-0 on the young season.

Junior Rhian Mann added two more scoreless innings in relief to tally his first save of the spring.

Truett-McConnell (3-6) took the early lead in the third inning on a grand slam from Calob Rowland. The Bears outhit the Grizzlies by an 11-6 margin. However, five of GGC's six hits went for extra bases.

 
  GGC used the long ball twice in a four-run fourth inning that turned a 4-1 deficit into a one-run lead, 5-4. Senior Gabe Austin launched a home run deep over the left field fence to lead off the frame. Two batters later, junior Tate Kight tied the game with a two-run home run, marking the third straight game he has smashed a homer. A RBI ground out from junior Myles Smith gave the hosts the 5-4 lead.
  "I was so impressed with our fourth inning. We got punched in the mouth in the third and you could feel the game's momentum shift to their dugout. It only took us an inning to answer. It was the right time and the right guys came through for us. Seeing how resilient our guys were tonight was a good sign. I'm also proud of how our bullpen nailed down the win," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  Bottom of First
Gabe Austin hit a run-scoring double down the right field line to open the scoring
 
Top of Third
Calob Rowland connected on a grand slam to right field to give the Bears a 4-1 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Gabe Austin led off the frame with a home run, trimming the deficit to 4-2
Tate Kight tied the game, 4-4, with a two-run home run
Myles Smith gave GGC a 5-4 lead with a RBI ground out
 
Top of Fifth
Tyler Clayton entered in relief and got a fly out with the bases loaded, keeping GGC ahead 5-4
 
Bottom of Seventh
Gabe Howell lined a RBI triple to left field to score Smith
 

Top of Eighth
Relief pitcher Rhian Mann got an inning-ending ground out with runners on first and second bases to cancel the scoring threat
 

• Truett-McConnell outhit GGC by a 11-6 margin
• The Grizzlies recorded four stolen bases, increasing their season total to 20
• Five of GGC's six hits went for extra bases (two home runs, one triple and two doubles)
• Junior Rhian Mann tallies the team's third save of the season with two scoreless innings in relief
• Three pitchers combined to strike out 11 batters

• GGC improves to 4-2 on the season; Truett-McConnell drops to 3-6 this spring
• The Grizzlies now lead the series by a 6-1 margin
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the 2020 NAIA Preseason Poll
• GGC has hit six home runs across the last two games, highlighted by four in Tuesday's contest at Middle Georgia State University
• Junior Tate Kight has connected on a home run in three straight games

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Columbia International University (S.C.) and Toccoa Falls College (Ga.) on Friday, Feb. 14. First pitch in the Toccoa Falls contest is set for 3 p.m., with the game against Columbia International following at approximately at 7 p.m.