Five Georgia Gwinnett College pitchers combined to shutout Montreat College (North Carolina) 6-0 on Wednesday night at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The victory was the Grizzlies' eighth straight and 20th of the season.

Junior right hander Adam McKillican had five strikeouts across the first five innings to pick up his first victory of the season. Following with one-inning performances on the mound were freshman left hander Tyler Clayton, sophomore right hander Klay Allen, sophomore left hander Jaelin Sewell, and junior right hander Rhian Mann.

"I talked with (catcher) Austin (Bates) before the game and the game plan was to establish the fastball early. We did that really well. I was able to use a breaking ball to get out of one jam. I am starting to find a good rhythm out on the mound and pound the strike zone," said McKillican of his starting assignment.

Offensively, junior center fielder Cord Johnson collected two of GGC's six hits in the contest. He hit a RBI single during a three-run fourth inning that stretched the team's lead to 6-0. Junior shortstop Gabe Howell and junior catcher Austin Bates added RBI doubles later in the inning.

GGC, ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA poll, improved to 20-6 for the season.


 
Coach's Corner
"We are starting to see our guys becoming more consistent. It was a great start by Adam (McKillican). He helped set the tone and everybody that we brought in from the bullpen did the same thing. It is a good thing to keep winning," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies added separation in the fourth inning when three juniors provided RBI base hits. Center fielder Cord Johnson opened the three-run frame with a single before doubles from shortstop Gabe Howell and catcher Austin Bates gave GGC the final 6-0 margin of victory.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Fourth
Cord Johnson hit a RBI single to bring home Kyle Harvey, giving GGC a 4-0 lead
Gabe Howell added a run-scoring double
Austin Bates gave the Grizzlies a 6-0 advantage with a RBI double
 
Inside The Numbers

• Both teams collected six hits in the contest
• Five GGC pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in the shutout
• The Grizzlies recorded five stolen bases
• Junior Cord Johnson went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored

News & Notes

• GGC improved to 20-6 in 2021; Montreat falls to 11-20 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
• GGC has won eight straight games
• The Grizzlies have won all four meetings with Montreat in the series

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Campbellsville University (Kentucky) in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, with the first pitch at 1 p.m.