Georgia Gwinnett College baseball players smashed five home runs, including three in a decisive sixth inning, during a 13-6 come-from-behind victory against the University of Saint Katherine (California) in Monday's NAIA Opening Round Santa Barbara Bracket, being hosted by Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

The top-seeded Grizzlies (43-9) advance to play No. 2 seed Hope International University (California) in a winner's bracket contest on Tuesday, May 18, at 12:30 p.m. pacific time.

With the team trailing 5-1, senior Griffin Keller and junior Gabe Howell blasted back-to-back home runs to opposite fields to ignite a rally that had GGC tying the game, 5-5. Another homer, a three-run blast from junior Nick Barnes, completed the rally to give the Grizzlies the lead for good, 8-5.

GGC's power display continued in the seventh inning with Keller connecting on a two-run homer and Barnes hitting a second three-run home run. That extended the advantage to 13-5.

Saint Katherine (30-17) hit five solo home runs over the first four innings in building the 5-1 lead. The No. 4 seed Firebirds connected on two homers during the third inning. They were playing their second game of the day after defeating No. 5 seed Corban University (Oregon) 3-0.

GGC freshman reliever Gage Williams silenced the Firebirds' bats the rest of the way, allowing one run across five strong innings. The right hander picked up his fifth win for the season.

Keller led the Grizzlies' 13-hit offensive attack by going 2-for-5 with six RBI. Junior Austin Bates tallied three hits, while Barnes added three hits and six RBI. Howell also collected two hits in the opening-day victory.
 
"Gage (Williams) helped change the momentum after coming into the game. Our team's toughness is exponential to the situation that's before them. Griffin's at bat (in the sixth) was the critical point. Quality at bats from Cord (Johnson) and Austin (Bates) set the table for Griffin to do something special," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
The Grizzlies used the long ball to their advantage during a seven-run sixth inning. Senior Griffin Keller lined a three-run home run over the right field wall to cut the deficit to 5-4. Junior Gabe Howell, the next hitter, connected on a home run to left field to tie the game. GGC took the lead for good when junior Nick Barnes, the program's home run career record holder, delivered a three-run blast to left field for an 8-5 advantage.
 
Bottom of First
Griffin Keller tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI groundout to bring home Austin Bates
 
Top of Second
Jake Finney connected on a solo home run to left field
 
Top of Third
Baker Springstun led off the frame with a home run
Dylan Jacob added a solo home run to give the Firebirds a 4-1 lead
 
Bottom of Sixth
Griffin Keller connected on a three-run home run to right field
Gabe Howell followed with a solo homer to left field to tie the game at 5-5
Nick Barnes gave the Grizzlies an 8-5 lead with a three-run home run
 
Bottom of Seventh
Griffin Keller hit his second home run of the game with a two-run blast to right field
Nick Barnes gave the Grizzlies a 13-5 lead with a three-run round tripper for GGC's fifth homer of the game
 

• The Grizzlies outhit Saint Katherine by a 13-10 margin
• The teams combined to hit 10 home runs, with each team connecting on five round trippers
• Senior Griffin Keller established a new program season record with 14 home runs; two homers came on Monday
• Four GGC players registered multiple-hit performances

• GGC improves to 43-9 in 2021; Saint Katherine drops to 30-17 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 6 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team is the No. 1 seed in the Santa Barbara Bracket of the 2021 NAIA Opening Round; Saint Katherine is the No. 4 seed
• Monday's game marked the first meeting between the two colleges.

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 2 seed Hope International University (California) in a winner's bracket contest on Tuesday, May 18, at 12:30 p.m. pacific time from Westmont College.