Two runs in the eighth inning led the No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to a 5-3 home come-from-behind victory against Reinhardt University (Ga.) on Tuesday evening from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (14-2) won for the 13th straight game and are 11-0 on their home diamond this season. The team has won all three of its mid-week games this spring. It also was the 100th career coaching victory for GGC Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

A single to center field by junior Austin Bates brought home Julian Sewell to break a 3-3 contest. Isaiah Fleming dashed to third base on the play. Then, junior Livingston Morris added a sacrifice fly to score Fleming with an insurance run in the eighth inning.

"Austin is learning to slow down and realize the emotion of the game. He sees the ball deep in the hitting zone. He stepped up and had a big hit for us tonight," said Sheetinger.

Reinhardt (9-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Ben Heideman hit a sacrifice fly and Malique Foreman adding a RBI double. It marked the first time this season the Grizzlies didn't score first in a game.

GGC answered behind three runs in the third inning to grab a 3-2 lead. Senior Kyle Harvey began the strong offensive inning with a RBI single to score junior Cord Johnson. Junior Gabe Howell tied the game at 2-2 on a ground ball from junior Gabe Austin. A sacrifice fly from junior Nick Barnes brought home Harvey for the third run of the frame.

The visitors would square the contest, 3-3, on another run-scoring double from Foreman.

Junior starting pitcher Christopher Bergmoser allowed five hits across a season-high 7.1 innings. Junior reliever Rhian Mann struck out the only batters he faced in the eighth inning and kept Reinhardt with runners stranded in scoring position.

That setup the deciding eighth inning for the Grizzlies.

Freshman reliever Alex Cook recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his fifth save of the season.

Sheetinger was appreciative of the 100th career victory, stating "It is all about players. I have had good teams and players at Spalding University and this group has some special young men. I am fortunate to be their coach and this is a victory that we'll share with them."

 

Turning Point
In the eighth inning, the Grizzlies seemed poised to break the 3-3 deadlock. With two runners in scoring position, junior catcher Austin Bates hit a single to center field to bring home sophomore Julian Sewell. That gave the hosts a 4-3 advantage. Then, junior Livingston Morris added a sacrifice fly to provide an insurance run as Isaiah Fleming scored from third base.
 
Coach's Corner
"There are some fine and unique ways to win games. When the offense has been needed to score a lot of runs, we've done that. Then, when we're in a pitcher's duel, we have found a way to win. Tonight was a great college baseball game. We're figuring out we have some resolve and confidence in our dugout," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Key Plays
Top of Second
Ben Heideman hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring
Malique Foreman connected on a run-scoring double to give the Reinhardt a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Kyle Harvey opened a three-run inning with a RBI single
Gabe Howell scored on a fielding error off a ground ball from Gabe Austin
Nick Barnes hit a sacrifice fly to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 advantage
 
Top of Fourth
Malique Foreman hit his second double of the game to tie the game, 3-3
 
Bottom of Eighth
Austin Bates gave the Grizzlies a 4-3 lead with a RBI single to center field
Livingston Morris hit a sacrifice fly to provide an insurance run
 

Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Reinhardt by a 9-5 margin
• Juniors Austin Bates and Gabe Howell each collected two hits in the victory
• Three GGC pitchers contributed to eight strikeouts, including four by starting pitcher Christopher Bergmoser
• The Grizzlies recorded five stolen bases

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 14-2 on the season; Reinhardt falls to 9-4 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the all-time series by a 13-1 margin
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• GGC has won 13 straight games and is 11-0 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex this season
• Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger recorded his 100th career coaching victory

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the University of Northwestern Ohio in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 29, starting at 2 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.