Georgia Gwinnett College baseball pitchers recorded 31 strikeouts in splitting Friday's season-opening doubleheader against Indiana Wesleyan University, winning the opener 5-1 before the Wildcats answered with a 6-4 win in the nightcap at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (1-1), ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll, struck out 15 batters in the first-game victory and surpassed that total by one in the nightcap.

Junior starting pitcher Gage Williams tallied seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings in picking up his first win of the season. Sophomore left hander Gabe White added four more strikeouts in 2.2 innings of relief before senior Jonathan Haab shut the door on a potential Indiana Wesleyan comeback with four strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Haab got back-to-back strikeouts during a bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning to maintain GGC's 5-1 lead.

The hosts used a four-run fourth inning to break open a 1-1 deadlock in the first game. Junior Devin Warner connected on a home run over the right field fence to give the Grizzlies the lead for good at 2-1. Later in the same frame, junior Jon Ponder hit a two-run home run to center field to account for the 5-1 advantage.

In the nightcap, GGC battled back from a two-run deficit twice to tie the contest before the Wildcats (1-1) took the lead for good with a two-run seventh inning.

Junior Tyler Clayton recorded 10 strikeouts across 4.1 innings in relief. Sophomore Ben Harris had five strikeouts in the starting assignment and sophomore Spencer Rife added another strikeout over 2.2 innings of relief. That accounted for the team's 16-strikeout game performance.

"Our pitching was impressive and definitely kept us in both games. I'm pleased with the quality of the arms and aggressive makeup of our pitching staff," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard in the second inning on an RBI double from Ponder. He later stole third base and scored following a throwing error to tie the contest at 2-2.

Sophomore Brody Parkerson hit a solo home run in the fourth inning before a run-scoring single by sophomore Braxton Meguiar one inning later once again tied the game at 4-4.

Indiana Wesleyan, which received votes in the Preseason Top 25 poll, regained the lead for good with consecutive two-out hits by Caleb Engelsman and MJ Stavola in the seventh inning.


  "There's was a lot to take away from this doubleheader. Pitching is going to be ahead of hitting at this point in the season. What I like about this group is that today's outcomes will inspire the players to work even harder to improve. These games will make our new guys better," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  The Grizzlies came out on top of the 2023 season opener after getting a three-run fourth inning and the quality pitching throughout the game. Juniors Devin Warner and Jon Ponder connected on their first home runs as Grizzlies in the fourth inning. Junior starting pitcher Gage Williams struck out seven batters across 4.2 innings. Then, senior reliever Jonathan Haab secured the victory by getting back-to-back strikeouts in a bases-loaded situation during the top of the eighth inning.
  First Game
Bottom of Third
Braxton Meguiar tied the game, 1-1, with an RBI single through the left side
 
Bottom of Fourth
Devin Warner opened the frame with a home run over the right field fence
Blaze O'Saben hit a run-scoring single up the middle to score Kyle Norton
Jon Ponder connected on a two-run home run to give the Grizzlies a 5-1 lead
 
Top of Eighth
Jonathan Haab struck out Caleb Engelsman and MJ Stavola with the bases loaded to end the frame
 
Second Game
Bottom of Second
Jon Ponder brought home Blaze O'Saben from first base with an RBI double
Jon Ponder stole third base and later scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 2-2
 
Bottom of Fourth
Brody Parkerson hit a solo home run over the center field fence to cut the deficit to 4-3
 
Bottom of Fifth
Braxton Meguiar tied the game, 4-4, with a run-scoring single to bring home Brett Dingess
 
Top of Seventh
Caleb Engelsman gave the Wildcats a 5-4 lead with an RBI single
MJ Stavola followed with a run-scoring single to right field
 

• The Grizzlies tallied 15 hits across the doubleheader, with all nine starters having hits in the opener
• GGC's pitching staff combined for 31 strikeouts in the two games, highlighted by 16 strikeouts in the second game
• Juniors Jon Ponder, Devin Warner and sophomore Brody Parkerson each hit their first home runs as Grizzlies on Friday
• The team recorded five stolen bases during the doubleheader

• GGC and Indiana Wesleyan opened the 2023 season with Friday's doubleheader
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Indiana Wesleyan received votes in the same nationwide poll of coaches
• Friday's doubleheader marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• GGC is opening the 2023 season with 15 straight home games

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the three-game season-opening series with a single nine-inning game on Saturday, February 4, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 2 p.m.