The No. 7-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team matched the program's largest come-from-behind victory with Friday's thrilling 13-10 triumph against Thomas University (Georgia) at the Grizzly Baseball Complex to open a busy weekend on its home diamond.

Scoring nine runs in the seventh inning, the Grizzlies (6-1) rallied from a 10-4 deficit to take the decisive three-run victory. The hosts had erased six-run deficits on four different occasions in program history and the 2022 team scored nine runs in one frame, also the seventh, to defeat Columbia International University (South Carolina) 12-9 in the opener of a weekend series. Other monumental comebacks came as GGC defeated Shawnee State University (Ohio) 7-6 in 10 innings in 2017 and an 11-10 victory against LSU Alexandria in 2014.

Friday's rally was started by a bases-clearing triple by junior Ajay Sczepkowski that trimmed the deficit to 10-8. A few batters later, senior Blaze O'Saben lined a two-run single that gave GGC an 11-10 lead. Junior Jesus Pacheco capped the nine-run frame with a two-run double.

The team's other four runs came across the first three innings when junior Devin Warner connected on a two-run home run over the right field fence in the first frame. Pinch runner Ryan Hunt dashed home from third base following a passed ball in the second inning and Sczepkowski's sacrifice fly in the third gave the hosts an early 4-1 advantage.

Thomas (2-10) would score two runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-4 lead. Two more runs came across for the visitors in the sixth inning before the Nighthawks added three runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab a six-run advantage, 10-4.

Warner led GGC's 12-hit offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with three RBI and scoring two runs. Junior Jon Ponder also collected three hits. Hunt scored three runs and registered a pair of stolen bases.

Thomas outhit the Grizzlies by a 17-12 margin in the contest. Khadin Bastian tallied four hits while Kason Buie and Bradley Fleenor each had three hits for the team.


  "As long as we have one out left (in the game), there's always belief in our dugout that we'll win the game. It's inspiring and motivating. We would prefer to get ahead and stay ahead to get a win, but we're learning to battle through adversity after getting tested early. We've kept on answering the bell. That's a positive identity for this club," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  The Grizzlies used a nine-run seventh inning to win their fifth straight game of 2023. Junior Ajay Sczepkowski cleared the bases with a triple to bring the hosts within two runs, 10-8. Junior Devin Warner then added an RBI single that brought home Sczepkowski and senior Blaze O'Saben lined a two-run single to give GGC an 11-10 advantage. Junior Jesus Pacheco capped the big offensive inning with a two-run double.
  Bottom of First
Devin Warner connected on a two-run home run to open the scoring
 
Bottom of Third
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a sacrifice fly that scored Braxton Meguiar and gave GGC a 4-1 lead
 
Bottom of Seventh
Ajay Sczepkowski cleared the bases with a triple to cut Thomas' lead to 10-8
Blaze O'Saben gave the Grizzlies the lead, 11-10, with a two-run single
Jesus Pacheco brought home two runs with a double to cap a nine-run frame
 

• Thomas outhit GGC by a 17-12 margin in the contest
• Junior Devin Warner went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs
• Junior Jon Ponder collected three hits from the leadoff spot in GGC's batting lineup
• The Grizzlies recorded six stolen bases in the victory

• GGC improves to 6-1 on the season; Thomas falls to 2-10 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the series 7-4 against Thomas
• Friday's victory marked the fourth time in program history that the Grizzlies have rallied from a six-run deficit

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Georgia) on Saturday, February 18, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 2 p.m. That will be followed by a game against West Virginia Tech at 5 p.m.