Scoring eight of its nine runs with two outs in an inning, the No. 5-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team continued its winning ways with a 9-4 victory at Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday afternoon in Cochran, Georgia.

The Grizzlies (24-2) extended their winning streak to 18 consecutive games and have won both of their road games this spring.

After trailing early 3-2, junior Brett Dingess delivered a clutch two-run double with two outs in the top of the fifth inning to give the visitors a 4-3 lead. A wild pitch would later allow him to score to cap a three-run frame.
Dingess opened GGC's scoring in the game with a run-scoring single, also with two outs, during a two-run first inning.

Junior Jon Ponder went 3-for-4 at the plate with his seventh homer of the season coming in the seventh inning. The two-run round tripper extended the team's lead to 9-3.

Middle Georgia State (12-12) took the early advantage after scoring three unearned runs in the bottom half of the first inning. That's all of the offense the Knights would produce against Georgia Gwinnett College sophomore starting pitcher Ben Harris. The right hander struck out 11 batters and scattered six hits in improving to 4-0 on the season. He has thrown seven strong innings in both of the midweek road games.

Senior reliever Garrett Houston had five strikeouts in 1.2 innings, including striking out the only two batters he faced in a bases-loaded situation the eighth inning. The performance preserved the team's six-run advantage at that time.

GGC collected 11 hits in the victory, with senior Blaze O'Saben and junior Jesus Pacheco joining Dingess in collecting two hits apiece.
  "We were really competitive with two outs and have been for most of the season. Our guys just continue to compete. Brett (Dingess) went pitch-to-pitch and got himself back into a favorable count. He has been that guy for us this season. He came through in a clutch situation and allowed everyone (in the dugout) a chance to breathe. Then, we were able to create some separation in the game," said Jeremy Sheetinger.
  Sophomore Brett Dingess provided two clutch two-out hits in the second road game of the season. A run-scoring single came in the first inning to put GGC ahead 2-0. He later lined a two-run double in the fifth inning to give the team a 4-3 lead. Junior Jon Ponder connected on a two-run home run with two outs in the seventh inning as the visitor's lead grew to 9-3.
  Top of First
Brett Dingess hit a run-scoring single to center field to open the scoring
Kyle Norton followed with a two-out RBI single to left field
 
Bottom of First
Josiah Rivera hit a two-run single that gave the Knights a 3-2 lead
 
Top of Fifth
Brett Dingess lined a two-run double with two outs as GGC took a 4-3 lead
Brett Dingess scored from third base following a wild pitch
 
Top of Seventh
Jesus Pacheco hit a run-scoring double to bring home Blaze O'Saben
Jon Ponder connected on a two-run home run with two outs to give the Grizzlies a 9-3 advantage
 

• GGC outhit Middle Georgia State by an 11-7 margin
• Junior Jon Ponder went 3-for-4 and hit his seventh home run of the season
• Sophomore Ben Harris struck out 11 batters to pick up his fourth win of this spring
• The Grizzlies drew seven walks in the contest

• GGC improves to 24-2 on the season; Middle Georgia drops to 12-12 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 5 in the first NAIA Top 25 poll of the regular season
• The team leads the series by a 10-7 margin, including a 7-3 record in games played in Cochran
• GGC's 24-2 start to the season is the best for the Grizzlies under fourth-year Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger (2020 team went 23-2 before the season was ended due to COVID-19 pandemic health restrictions)
• The Grizzlies have won 18 straight games, the longest streak among NAIA teams

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host No. 8 University of Mobile (Alabama) on Friday, March 17, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 6 p.m.