After a three-hour weather delay the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored seven straight runs in the middle innings for a 7-4 comeback victory over Clarke University (Iowa) on Friday night at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (14-2) have won eight straight games.

GGC overcame an early 2-0 deficit by scoring three runs in the third inning, another run in the fourth frame, two more in the sixth, and a final run in the seventh inning to take a 7-2 lead.

Junior Jon Ponder started the rally with a two-run double to right field and a sacrifice fly from junior Ajay Sczepkowski gave the hosts a 3-2 lead.

Sophomore Kyle Norton hit a run-scoring single with two outs in the fourth inning to bring home senior Ryan Hunt.

Later, junior Devin Warner connected on his team-leading sixth home run and a wild pitch would allow Hunt to score GGC's second run of the sixth inning for a 6-2 advantage.

Sophomore Brett Dingess capped the team's scoring with an RBI double in the seventh inning.

Clarke (7-4) didn't go down without a fight. The Pride scored two unearned runs and had the potentially game-tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning.

Senior Hunter Moody got a double play to secure the victory and his first save of 2022.

Like the GGC offense, sophomore starting pitcher Cameron Repetti got better in the middle innings after allowing two runs, with only one earned, in the top of the second inning. He ended up striking out 11 batters across six innings to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Senior reliever Jaelin Sewell added four strikeouts in 2.1 innings as the pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts in Friday's opener of a busy weekend for the Grizzlies.

Junior Cohen Wilbanks, Norton, Ponder and Sczepkowski each tallied two hits for the Grizzlies.


  "I'm proud of how we handled the weather elements today and the changes in schedule (to a game starting at 9 p.m.). It says a lot about the toughness of this group. When he's on his game, Cameron (Repetti) is one of the best pitchers is in the country. I was impressed with how well he managed that early punch (being down 2-0 in second inning) and got stronger by effectively using all his pitches," said Jeremy Sheetinger.
  After falling behind 2-0 early, the Grizzlies' bats warmed up in the third inning. A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt was followed by a passed ball to put runners at second and third base with no outs. Junior Jon Ponder lined a two-run double to right field to tie the contest at 2-2. A few batters later, junior Ajay Sczepkowski hit a sacrifice fly that scored Ponder for the third run of the frame.
  Bottom of Third
Jon Ponder lined a two-run single to right field to tie the game at 2-2
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Jon Ponder to give the Grizzlies the lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Kyle Norton hit a two-out run-scoring single to bring home Ryan Hunt
 
Bottom of Sixth
Devin Warner opened the frame with a home run to right field
Ryan Hunt scored on a wild pitch to give the hosts a 6-2 advantage
 
Bottom of Seventh
Brett Dingess lined an RBI double down the left-field line to score Ajay Sczepkowski
 

• Clarke outhit the Grizzlies by a 12-10 margin
• Junior Devin Warner connected on his team-leading sixth home run to lead off the sixth inning
• Three GGC pitchers combined to have 15 strikeouts in the victory
• The Grizzlies turned two double plays on Friday

• GGC improves to 14-2 in 2023; Clarke drops to 7-4 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 7 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The team has won all five meetings in the series
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won eight consecutive games

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to again host Clarke University (Iowa) on Saturday, March 4, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 2 p.m. That will be followed by a game against Lourdes University (Ohio) at 5 p.m.