With six different players recording multiple hits, the No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team opened its home season with a 13-7 victory against Georgetown College (Ky.) on Friday afternoon at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (2-2) scored in seven of their eight offensive innings to defeat the Tigers for the third straight time and win its home opener for the sixth time in eight seasons.

After scoring a single run in the first inning, GGC pushed across three runs in each of the third and fourth frames to build a 7-0 advantage. Senior Gabe Austin led the early offensive attack with a two-run double in the third inning and a RBI single during the fourth inning. He hit 2-for-2 on the day, with three RBI and three walks.

Junior Gabe Howell scored three runs from the leadoff spot in the team's batting order. Senior Kyle Harvey collected two hits and scored twice, while junior Nick Barnes legged out a triple and a double in the victory. Junior Tate Kight connected on a home run in the eighth inning and classmate Steven Lugo added two hits.

The Grizzlies outhit Georgetown by a 14-8 margin in the contest.

Senior starting pitcher Hunter Peck (1-0) struck out seven batters across five innings to earn his first mound victory after missing the 2019 season. Junior Christopher Bergmoser and freshman Jake Bearden came in relief to secure the home triumph.


  The Grizzlies scored three runs in consecutive innings to build a 7-0 advantage after the fourth frame. Senior Gabe Austin hit a two-run double in the third inning and then added a RBI single an inning later.
  "We needed the middle of our lineup to come through and do what they're supposed to do. They just bridge the gap for everyone else in the lineup. I like the guys hitting at the top and bottom of the order. We still have several things to work on in these early stages of the season," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  Bottom of Third
Gabe Austin hit a two-run double to extend GGC's lead to 3-0
 
Bottom of Fourth
Cord Johnson gave the Grizzlies a 5-0 lead with a sacrifice fly
Steven Lugo successfully stole home following a walk to Kyle Harvey
Gabe Austin added a RBI single to cap a three-run inning
 
Bottom of Sixth
Nick Barnes lined a double off the wall in right field to score Livingston Morris, giving GGC a 10-3 lead
 
Bottom of Eighth
Tate Kight connected on a leadoff home run
 

• The Grizzlies scored in seven of their eight offensive innings
• Six players recorded multiple hits in the victory
• GGC outhit Georgetown by a 14-8 margin

• GGC improves to 2-2 on the season; Georgetown stands 0-2 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 5 in the 2020 NAIA Preseason Poll; Georgetown received votes in the same poll
• The Grizzlies have won all three meetings with Georgetown, including two victories in last year's NAIA Opening Round in Lawrenceville
• GGC is 6-2 all-time in home openers

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude its weekend series against Georgetown with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 8, starting at 1 p.m., from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.