An 11-game season-opening homestand concluded for the top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team with a four-game series sweep of West Virginia Tech, winning 5-4 in nine innings and 6-2 Sunday at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

With two outs in the ninth inning, the Grizzlies (10-1) got a walk-off single from sophomore Chase Evans for the hard-earned victory. That hit brought home freshman Braxton Meguiar, who had tied the game at 4-4 with a two-out double to left field.

GGC also got a game-tying RBI single from senior Austin Bates in the seventh inning to put the game into extra innings.

The teams exchanged runs late in the contest. The hosts trailed 2-1 in the sixth inning when junior Joshua Holt Jr. hit a fielder's choice to score senior Livingston Morris with the tying run.

Then, the Golden Bears (1-11) regained the lead in the top of the seventh before Bates' clutch hit in the bottom of the frame. There was a repeat performance in the ninth, with the visitors taking a 4-3 advantage before the Grizzlies' two-out rally that push across the winning run.

In the second game, GGC used a five-run third inning to grab the early lead. Morris connected on a three-run home run for the big hit in the frame. Bates opened the scoring with an RBI double before Meguiar hit a sacrifice fly.

The Grizzlies registered 11 hits in the nightcap, led by Morris' 2-for-3 performance with four RBI. He also collected two hits to join juniors Blaze O'Saben and Myles McKisic with multiple-hit performances in the game.

Senior reliever Rhian Mann tossed four strong innings in the opener to pick up his first victory of the season. Sophomore left hander Tyler Clayton recorded five strikeouts in five innings of the starting assignment.

Senior Gavin Heltemes scattered five hits across five innings in the second game to improve to 2-0 on the season. Senior reliever Maddex Richardson and junior Alex Friesen each tossed a scoreless inning to help secure the victory


 
"We're off to a good and we feel good with where we're at right now. These first 11 games have revealed that we still have a lot of things to work on. However, I like this team and where we're headed," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
The Grizzlies used a little two-out magic to win the opener in extra innings. On a 3-2 count with two outs in the ninth frame, freshman Braxton Meguiar hit a ball down the left field line that resulted in double. That allowed a hustling Joshua Holt Jr. to score and tie the contest at 4-4. Sophomore Chase Evans then celebrated the walk-off victory with a base hit to right field bringing home Meguiar with the winning run.
 
First Game
Top of First
Broedy Boyce led off the game with a home run for West Virginia Tech
 
Top of Fourth
Logan Spurlock hit an RBI single as the Golden Bears' lead grew to 2-0
 
Bottom of Fourth
J.D. Stubbs' ground out to second base allowed Livingston Morris to score GGC's first run
 
Bottom of Sixth
Livingston Morris scored from third base to tie the game at 2-2 following a fielder's choice by Joshua Holt Jr.
 
Bottom of Seventh
Austin Bates sent the game into extra innings with a run-scoring single
 
Bottom of Ninth
Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI double down the left field line to tie the game at 4-4
Chase Evans singled to right field to score Meguiar for the game-winning run
 
Second Game
Bottom of Third
Austin Bates opened the scoring with a run-scoring double
Livingston Morris connected on a three-run homer to cap a five-run inning
 
Bottom of Fifth
Livingston Morris added an RBI single to left field to give the hosts a 6-2 lead
 

• The Grizzlies recorded 21 hits across the doubleheader sweep
• Senior Livingston Morris went 4-for-7 with four RBI and drove in three runs on Sunday
• Sophomore Joshua Holt Jr. stole two bases in each game
• GGC scored 31 runs in the four-game series sweep

• GGC improves to 10-1 on the season; West Virginia Tech falls to 1-11 in 2022
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 1 in the 2022 NAIA Top 25 preseason poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won 13 of its 15 meetings against West Virginia Tech
• The team opened the season with 11 straight home games

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Truett-McConnell University on Tuesday, February 22, from Cleveland, Georgia, starting at 3 p.m.