The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored multiple runs across its final four offensive innings and got a stellar pitching performance to defeat Talladega College (Alabama) 10-0 in seven innings Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (33-5) scored two runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before plating four runs during the sixth inning.

Meanwhile, junior left hander Tyler Clayton tossed a one-hit shutout and matched his season high with 10 strikeouts against Talladega (22-12-1), which had received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll. Clayton improves to 5-1 on the season.

Offensively, junior Cohen Wilbanks gave the hosts a 4-0 lead with a two-run double in the fourth inning. Sophomore Brett Dingess added a two-run single one inning later. Sophomore Kyle Norton hit a single to add two more runs during the sixth inning.

Junior Jon Ponder went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs in the victory. He opened the scoring in the third inning with an RBI double.

The Grizzlies outhit Talladega by a 7-1 margin in the contest.


  "We challenged the players to come with some intensity and playing our brand of baseball. They did that this evening. Tyler's (Clayton) performance was as good as any we've had on the mound this season, getting a one-hitter against a team that's knocking on the door of the nation's Top 25 poll," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  GGC made the most of its seven hits in Tuesday's home win. Junior Jon Ponder hit an RBI double to open a two-run third inning. One inning later, two runs were plated on a double from junior Cohen Wilbanks. Sophomore Brett Dingess brought home a pair of runs with a single during the fifth frame. Then, sophomore Kyle Norton hit a two-run single past a draw-in infield to give the Grizzlies an 8-0 advantage in the sixth inning.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Third
Jon Ponder hit an RBI double to right field that brought home Jesus Pacheco
Kyle Norton successfully stole second base and a throwing error on the play allowed Jon Ponder to score from third base
 
Bottom of Fourth
Cohen Wilbanks doubled to center field to plate two runs that gave the Grizzlies a 4-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Brett Dingess brought home a pair of runs with a single to center field
 
Bottom of Sixth
Kyle Norton hit a two-run single for an 8-0 GGC advantage
 

• The Grizzlies outhit Talladega by a 7-1 margin
• GGC recorded five stolen bases in the victory
• Junior left hander Tyler Clayton matched his season high with 10 strikeouts in the shutout
• Junior Jon Ponder went 2-for-4, with a pair of runs scored

• GGC improves to 33-5 this spring, while Talladega drops to 21-12-2 in 2023
• The Grizzlies were tied for No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Talladega received votes in the same poll
• GGC has won 27 of the 30 meetings in the all-time series with the Tornadoes
• Georgia Gwinnett College is 27-4 at home this season

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the Continental Athletic Conference Showdown from Friday, April 14, through Sunday, April 16, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.