Junior Jesus Pacheco lined a go-ahead two-run single to right field to jumpstart a seventh-inning rally that propelled the No. 7-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to a 6-4 victory Saturday against No. 24 Taylor University (Indiana) to sweep the weekend series at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (5-1) have recorded four of their five wins in come-from-behind fashion for this young season. The team used productive innings – scoring four in one frame Saturday and five runs twice on Friday – in all three games against Taylor.

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning, the hosts' hitters got to the Trojans' bullpen to score four runs in the seventh inning. Sophomore Kyle Norton opened the inning with a walk, advanced into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt from senior Blaze O'Saben, and then stole third base with one out. Junior Cohen Wilbanks was hit by a pitch and senior pinch runner Ryan Hunt successfully stole second base to put another runner into scoring position for Pacheco.

The junior shortstop delivered a two-run single to right field that brought home Norton and Hunt to give GGC a 4-3 advantage.

Later, junior Ajay Sczepkowski lined a two-run single to score Pacheco and sophomore Braxton Meguiar to increase the team's lead to 6-3.

Taylor (1-5) took an early lead for the second time in the series, leading 3-0 after a fielder's choice and an RBI groundout scored two runs in the second inning. An infield single added another run one inning later.

Pacheco got the Grizzlies on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single to score O'Saben. The shortstop later scored on a run-scoring single from Sczepkowski that brought GGC within a run, 3-2.

Junior starting pitcher Gage Williams struck out seven batters across five innings but didn't account for the mound victory. That went to junior reliever Kyle Petri, who had three strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Senior Garrett Houston retired all four batters he faced in securing his second save of 2023.


  "Your leadoff guy sets the table for a rally and that's what happened today. It started with a walk and our guys played unselfishly, not trying to make the moment too big. When we do what's required within the game, we're really good. This team plays hard for each other. That's revealed in those big moments when everyone comes together for a common purpose," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  Junior Jesus Pacheco drove in three runs, including a go-ahead two-run single to right field as part of a monumental four-run seventh inning. Junior Ajay Sczepkowski also collected three RBI in the contest.
  Top of Third
Kade Vander Molen hit an infield single to give the Trojans a 3-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Jesus Pacheco got the Grizzlies on the scoreboard with a run-scoring single
Ajay Sczepkowski added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2
 
Bottom of Seventh
Jesus Pacheco lined a two-run single to right field to give GGC a 4-3 lead
Ajay Sczepkowski delivered a two-run single to cap a four-run frame
 

• The Grizzlies outhit Taylor by an 8-7 margin on Saturday
• GGC recorded five stolen bases in the victory and now has 26 steals on 31 attempts
• Junior Jesus Pacheco went 2-for-3 with three RBI and scored two runs
• Junior Ajay Sczepkowski tallied three hits for the Grizzlies

• GGC improves to 5-1 on the season; Taylor falls to 1-5 in 2022
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Taylor stood No. 24 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College picked up its fourth win in come-from-behind fashion
• GGC's pitching staff has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in all six games this season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Georgia) on Friday, February 17, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 3 p.m.