Getting hits and runs throughout the lineup, the No. 7-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team opened a weekend series against University of Pikeville (Kentucky) with a 14-0 victory in seven innings Friday night at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (17-6) got its 14 runs from eight different players while seven batters contributed to the team's 12-hit offensive attack. Meanwhile, two pitchers held the visitors off the scoreboard.

Junior right fielder Nick Barnes drove in five runs and hit a three-run home run that gave GGC a 7-0 lead and capped a five-run third inning. He then drilled a two-run double off the wall in left field during a six-run sixth inning.

The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when junior center fielder Cord Johnson hit a triple that scored Kyle Harvey. Johnson would later score on an RBI ground out from junior first baseman J.D. Stubbs.

Senior left fielder Griffin Keller went 3-for-4 and drove in a run. Johnson and Morris joined Barnes in collecting two hits apiece for the Grizzlies.

Senior pitcher Hunter Dollander had another strong showing, tossing six scoreless innings and striking out nine opposing batters to improve to 5-1 on the season. Junior reliever Adam McKillican pitched a scoreless seventh inning to secure the team's third shutout of the spring season.


 
Coach's Corner
"This was a great way to start the weekend. We've been working hard to find our consistency and approach to the game. Everything comes together when we get good starting pitching that's backed by a productive offense. That's what we're striving to achieve," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
Georgia Gwinnett College broke the game open behind a five-run third inning. Junior right fielder Nick Barnes connected on a three-run home run over the left field fence to provide the big hit. Back-to-back RBI singles from junior designated hitter Livingston Morris and senior third baseman Kyle Harvey opened the scoring in the inning.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Second
Cord Johnson hit a RBI triple to bring home Kyle Harvey
J.D. Stubbs gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead with a RBI ground out
 
Bottom of Third
Nick Barnes connected on a three-run home run to left field to highlight a five-run inning
 
Bottom of Sixth
Nick Barnes drove in two runs with a double to left field during a six-run frame
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Pikeville by a 12-6 margin
• Senior pitcher Hunter Dollander struck out nine batters across six innings
• Four players recorded multiple hits in the victory
• Eight players scored runs across GGC's lineup

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 17-6 on the season; Pikeville falls to 4-15 in 2021
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
• Friday's meeting marked the first contest between the two colleges
• GGC is 16-5 this spring at the Grizzly Baseball Complex

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend series against University of Pikeville (Kentucky) with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 20, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 1 p.m.