The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team proved its top-seeded status in the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Championship with a commanding 10-0 seven-inning victory against No. 4 seed Iowa Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

GGC (40-14) will face the winner of Saturday's other first-roudn game between No. 2 seed Fisher College (Massachusetts) against No. 3 seed Edward Waters University (Florida) in a winner's bracket contest on Sunday, May 8, starting at 11 a.m.

An eight-run fourth inning propelled the Grizzlies to the first-round victory. Senior Austin Bates opened the big offensive inning with an infield RBI single. Senior Livingston Morris provided the big blow of the frame with a three-run home run over the left field fence for a 6-0 lead.

Senior J.D. Stubbs and sophomore Joshua Holt Jr. added run-scoring singles before freshman Braxton Meguiar capped the fourth inning with another RBI single.

GGC had taken an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior starting pitcher Rob Hamby tossed a gem, striking out a career-high 10 batters and scattering five hits in his first career shutout. The right hander picked up his seventh victory of the season.

Junior Myles McKisic and Bates each collected three hits for the Grizzlies. They outhit Iowa Wesleyan (20-29) by a 13-5 margin in the contest.

The victory was the 200th for Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger as a collegiate coach.
 
 

BASEBALL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: @GGCAthletics opens the CAC Baseball Championship with a 10-0 victory over @IWTigers. Rob Hamby tosses a shutout.#CAC_Baseball pic.twitter.com/QwaYl5Rq8e

— Continental Athletics (@CAC_SportsNAIA) May 7, 2022

"Rob gave us the quality start that's a must-have when you start a postseason tournament. He's been an anchor to our pitching staff all season and once again showcased that fact by getting a complete game. This victory sets us up well going forward in the tournament," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  Turning Point
The Grizzlies broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning to build a 10-0 lead. Senior Austin Bates opened the scoring with an infield RBI single. Classmate Livingston Morris followed with a three-run home run. Senior J.D. Stubbs and sophomore Joshua Holt Jr. added run-scoring singles before freshman Braxton Meguiar capped the big offensive inning with an RBI single up the middle.
  Bottom of First
Braxton Meguiar scored following a throwing error to open the scoring
Myles McKisic hit a run-scoring single to right field to bring home Ryan Hunt
 
Bottom of Fourth
Austin Bates hit an RBI single to shortstop to open the team's eight-run inning
Livingston Morris connected on a three-run home run over the left field fence
J.D. Stubbs added a run-scoring single to bring home Myles McKisic for the team's seventh run of the game
Joshua Holt Jr. hit an RBI single to center field to give the Grizzlies a 9-0 lead
Braxton Meguiar recorded an RBI single to score Joshua Holt Jr. for the 10-run victory margin
 

• The Grizzlies outhit Iowa Wesleyan by a 13-5 margin
• Junior Rob Hamby struck out 10 batters in tossing a seven-inning shutout
• Senior Austin Bates and junior Myles McKisic each went 3-for-4
• GGC recorded four extra-base hits in the victory

• GGC improves to 40-14 this spring; Iowa Wesleyan drops to 20-29 in 2022
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 11 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• GGC is the top seed in the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Championship tournament; Iowa Wesleyan was the No. 4 seed
• The team has won two straight conference tournaments (formally the Association of Independent Institutions)

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play either Fisher or Edward Waters in a winner's bracket contest of the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Championship on Sunday, May 8, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 11 a.m.