The top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team relied on strong offensive performances in sweeping a doubleheader Friday against Midway University, outscoring the Kentucky opponent 13-2 and 18-16 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (5-0) jumped out to an early lead in the opener behind a two-run home run from senior Livingston Morris in the first inning. Junior Blaze O'Saben followed with an RBI single to give the hosts an early 4-0 lead after the opening frame.

Run-scoring singles from O'Saben and freshman Braxton Meguiar extended GGC's lead to 7-0 by the third inning.

A few innings later, Meguiar and junior Ryan Hunt collected RBI singles as the lead grew to 13-0.

That's more than enough support for senior right hander Kevin Kyle, who spread nine strikeouts across five scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 on the season.

The second game was a slugfest, with the Grizzlies scoring 10 runs in the first inning and enjoyed a 18-0 advantage after five innings before Midway (0-6) responded with 16 unanswered runs in the top of the seventh frame.

Senior J.D. Stubbs cleared the bases with a triple that gave the hosts a 5-0 lead. Senior Austin Bates then hit a three-run home run as part of the offensive first inning.

Stubbs later added three more RBI with a double in the fifth inning. He drove in six runs and went 3-for-4 at the plate in the contest.

After scoring 16 runs, five coming on bases-loaded walks by the Grizzlies, Midway brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate with two outs. Senior Maddex Richardson got a groundout to end the rally and collect the save in his GGC debut. Junior starting pitcher Rob Hamby tossed four scoreless innings to pick up his second victory of the spring.

Josh Halterman had a big seventh inning for the Eagles. He drove in a pair of runs with a single and later delivered a three-run double that brought Midway within 18-14.


 
"It was really good to see a week's worth of work come to fruition on the field. I was happy with how we pitched early. Kevin and Rob gave us good starts. It was just fun to see our offense get back to what we do. We're excited to get another chance to play tomorrow," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
The Grizzlies scored early and often in both games, combining for 14 runs in the first inning of both games within Friday's doubleheader. Senior Livingston Morris hit his first home run of the season in the opener. Then, senior J.D. Stubbs drove in three runs with a triple before senior Austin Bates connected on a three-run homer as part of a 10-run first inning in the nightcap.
 
First Game
Bottom of First
Livingston Morris hit a two-run home run, his first of the season, to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Braxton Meguiar gave GGC a 7-0 lead with an RBI single to bring home Blaze O'Saben
 
Bottom of Sixth
Ryan Hunt connected on a run-scoring single for GGC's 13th and final run of the contest
 
Second Game
Bottom of First
J.D. Stubbs cleared the bases with a triple as the Grizzlies jumped out to an early 5-0 lead
Austin Bates connected on a three-run homer as part of the 10-run opening inning
 
Bottom of Second
Jake Defries hit an RBI single to bring home Ryan Hunt
 
Bottom of Fifth
J.D. Stubbs drove in three runs with a double to stretch the lead to 18-0
 
Top of Seventh
Josh Halterman drove in two runs with a single to left field
Josh Halterman later cleared the bases with a double to bring Midway within 18-14
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 27 hits across the doubleheader sweep, highlighted by 15 hits in the nightcap
• Seniors Livingston Morris and Austin Bates each hit a home run on Friday
• GGC's pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts in each game
• The team had 11 stolen bases across the two games

• GGC improves to 5-0 on the season; Midway drops to 0-6 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 1 in the 2022 NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• Friday's doubleheader marked the first meeting between the two programs
• GGC has won 27 of its last 28 games

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend series on Saturday, February 12, with a single nine-inning game at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at noon.