Scoring seven runs in the fourth inning carried the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to a decisive 13-6 victory against Cleary University (Michigan) in Friday's series opener at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

GGC (13-6) scored 12 of the 13 runs across the first four innings of the game.

Junior catcher Austin Bates paced the team's 14-hit offensive attack by going 5-for-5 with three doubles and three RBI.

Both teams scored three runs in the first inning before pushing across an additional run during the second inning. A run-scoring double from junior first baseman Tate Kight gave the Grizzlies a 5-4 lead in the third inning.

In the back-and-forth early stretches, Cleary (3-7) answered with two runs in the top of the fourth inning to regain the lead, 6-5.

However, the hosts responded in a big way to break things open in the bottom half of the frame. Bates gave the Grizzlies the lead for good, 7-6, with a RBI double. Junior right fielder Livingston Morris added a run-scoring single, while junior shortstop Gabe Howell capped the offensive outburst with a sacrifice fly.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Klay Allen picked up the victory in relief, improving to 2-0 on the season. He tossed four innings and struck out three batters. Sophomore reliever Alex Friesen pitched three scoreless innings and sophomore left hander Jaelin Sewell tossed a scoreless ninth inning to secure the win.

Senior third baseman Kyle Harvey collected three hits, while senior left fielder Griffin Keller went 2-for-5 with two runs scored Friday.


  "We were happy to get some people back on the field after recovering from injuries. That gave us a chance to experiment with our healthy lineup. Our moves will help us long term. Overall, it was a good night to come through with some runs. Austin (Bates) has always been a consistent bat, but there is just something different with him this year. He may not be your prototypical No. 3 hitter, but he wants to be in that spot in the batting lineup pretty bad," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  The Grizzlies scored seven runs in the fourth inning to build a commanding 12-6 lead. Junior Gabe Howell stole third base and scored following a throwing error on the play. That tied the contest at 6-6. Junior Austin Bates gave GGC the lead for good with a RBI double. Junior outfielder Livingston Morris added a run-scoring single to plate the third run of the frame. Howell would later connect on a sacrifice fly to cap the big offensive inning.
  Bottom of First
Austin Bates hit a RBI single to bring home Griffin Keller for the first of three runs in the inning
Kyle Harvey laid down a bunt to score Myles Smith
Cord Johnson tied the game, 3-3, with a RBI single
 
Bottom of Second
Austin Bates added a run-scoring double to score Gabe Howell
 
Bottom of Third
Tate Kight gave the Grizzlies a 5-4 lead with a RBI double
 
Bottom of Fourth
Austin Bates hit a run-scoring double to give GGC a 7-6 lead
Livingston Morris followed with a RBI single
Gabe Howell hit a sacrifice fly to cap the team's seven-run inning
 

• GGC outhit Cleary by a 14-6 margin in the contest
• Junior Austin Bates went 5-for-5, with three doubles, and drove in three runs
• The Grizzlies recorded 10 stolen bases

• GGC improves to 13-6 on the season; Cleary fell to 3-7 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• Friday marked the first meeting between the two colleges

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Cleary University (Michigan) for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 13, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, with the first game starting at 2 p.m.