The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team took full advantage of its five hits and the opposing team's three defensive errors to win its fifth straight game, 5-3, against Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) on Friday afternoon to start a busy weekend at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (5-2) jumped to a 4-1 lead by the fourth inning behind two big hits and by executing well on small-ball situations. Senior outfielder Griffin Keller connected on his second home run of the season, with a solo homer that struck the scoreboard in right field during the first inning – continuing the team's early success in games this spring.

Other early runs were scored when junior Myles Smith hustled home from third base during a double steal attempt. He later was brought around to score in the fourth inning when sophomore second baseman Myles McKisic lined a base hit to right field.

Truett-McConnell (6-3) would get single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, and would even have the potential game-tying run in scoring position with less than two outs in the eighth inning. However, junior right-handed reliever Rhian Mann closed the door on the potential comeback bid by getting consecutive strike outs against Cason King and Julian Galassi.

Keller collected two of GGC's five hits in the victory and scored twice.

Five of the team's pitchers combined to scatter four hits and record seven strikeouts in the nine-inning contest. Senior starter Hunter Dollander improved to 2-0 on the season with three strikeouts over three innings on the mound. Junior Adam McKillican retired all three batters he faced in tossing a scoreless ninth inning to collect his second save of 2021.


  "Myles (McKisic) did exactly what the situation dictated there (fourth inning at-bat) by hitting the ball hard. We had the guys we wanted on base in that situation. Meanwhile, Rhian (Mann) has electric stuff on the mound and he's very competitive. It was great to see him make his first appearance of the season in a tough relief position that we're looking for him to be for us this year," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  The visiting Bears were threatening in the eighth inning, with two runners in scoring position and one out while trailing 5-3. GGC called upon junior right-handed reliever Rhian Mann out of the bullpen for his first pitching appearance of the season. He struck out the only two batters he faced in the game to keep the Grizzlies safely in front of the game.
  Bottom of First
Griffin Keller connected on a solo home run
 
Bottom of Fourth
Myles McKisic lined a RBI single to right field to extend GGC's lead to 4-1
 
Top of Sixth
Josh Johnston hit a solo home run to bring the Bears within 4-2
 
Bottom of Sixth
Nick Barnes hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to bring home Griffin Keller from second base
 

• Senior outfielder Griffin Keller collected two of GGC's five hits in the game
• Junior Myles Smith scored two runs in the victory
• Five GGC pitchers combined to allow four hits
• Truett-McConnell made three defensive errors and allowed just two earned runs

• GGC improves to 5-2 this spring; Truett-McConnell falls to 6-3 in 2021
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• The team has played all seven of its games at home this season
• GGC leads the series history 7-1 and has won the last five meetings

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Truett-McConnell University (Georgia) on Saturday, February 20, at 2 p.m. Then, the team is planning to play Lourdes University (Ohio), starting at 6 p.m.