The nationally ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team completed an undefeated February portion of the 2020 season with a pair of wins over the University of Northwestern Ohio in Saturday's doubleheader at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (16-2) powered to win the first seven-inning game 4-2 before rallying for a 6-3 win in a nine-inning contest. The victories extended the team's winning streak to 15 games.

Significant innings propelled GGC to win each contest. In the opener, junior Gabe Howell connected on a three-run home run during a four-run second inning. Then, the team scored four runs in the fifth inning to overturn a 3-2 deficit into a nightcap victory.

Senior Gabe Austin provided the big hit in the second game with a two-run double to give Georgia Gwinnett College a 5-3 lead.

Senior pitcher Hunter Peck struck out six batters and allowed one hit in the first four innings of the opening contest. Sophomore Rob Hamby tossed two innings in relief to gain the victory and improve his record to 2-0. Freshman Alex Cook recorded his sixth save of the season by recording the final two outs.

In the second game, senior Hunter Dollander had eight strikeouts across six innings to pick up his second victory of the season. Freshman reliever Tyler Clayton registered the save by allowing two hits in three scoreless innings.

Junior Steven Lugo and Austin each had two hits in the second game to lead GGC's seven-hit offensive attack.


  Georgia Gwinnett College took the lead for good in the second contest following a four-run fifth inning. An infield single from junior Steven Lugo tied the game at 3-3. Then, senior Gabe Austin followed with a two-run double to give the hosts a 5-3 advantage. A throwing error allowed an additional run to score and provided enough insurance to complete the doubleheader sweep.
  "These were a pair of exciting games. We saw a senior pitcher (Hunter Dollander) show how competitive he is, even though he didn't have his best stuff. He got us through the sixth (inning) with a good job of battling," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  First Game
Bottom of Second
Tate Kight hit a RBI single up the middle to bring home Nick Barnes for a 1-0 lead
Gabe Howell connected on a three-run home run to cap a four-run inning
 
Top of Seventh
Yadi Rivera cut the deficit to 4-2 with a two-run single for the Racers
Alex Cook got a strikeout and a fly out, with the bases loaded, to secure the victory
 
Second Game
Top of First
Don Goodes scored on a passed ball to open the scoring for UNOH
Caleb Flores hit an infield single to bring home another run
 
Bottom of Third
Steven Lugo hit an infield single that scored a hustling Gabe Howell from second base to square the contest, 2-2
 
Top of Fifth
Shakur Jackson led off the inning with a home run
 
Bottom of Fifth
Steven Lugo tied the game, 3-3, with an infield single to score Gabe Howell
Gabe Austin hit a two-run double down the left field line to give the Grizzlies a 5-3 lead
A throwing error led to another run coming home for the Grizzlies
 

• GGC pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts across the doubleheader
• Both teams collected 12 hits in the two games, including the same total in each game
• Junior Gabe Howell scored three runs on Saturday

• GGC improves to 16-2 on the season; Northwestern Ohio falls to 4-10 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• GGC has won 15 straight games and is 13-0 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex this season
• The team had a 15-0 record during the February portion of the 2020 season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend series with the University of Northwestern Ohio in a doubleheader on Sunday, March 1, starting at 1 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.