Georgia Gwinnett College junior outfielder
Ajay Sczepkowski became the first NAIA player to record a season with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases as the top-seeded Grizzlies defeated Freed-Hardeman University (Tennessee) 21-4 in Tuesday afternoon's Opening Round action at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.
The victory advances the GGC into the championship round of the NAIA national tournament's Lawrenceville Bracket scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, starting at 7 p.m.
Sczepkowski connected on a two-run blast over the left field fence in the eighth inning for his 30th homer of the 2023 season. He already had achieved 36 stolen bases – joining former major leaguer J.D. Drew as the only collegiate baseball players in all levels to achieve the feat. Drew hit 31 homers and stole 32 bases in 67 games during the 1997 season at Florida State University.
"Great things happen to great people and Ajay has put himself among the best players ever to wear our Green and Gray uniform," said Head Coach
Jeremy Sheetinger. "More important than his offensive production is the fact that he's humble and a phenomenal teammate who is always putting the team and its needs first."
Sczepkowski was surrounded by his teammates and coaches, and given a standing ovation from the crowd, after crossing home plate to mark the achievement. For the game, he went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in – breaking the school's single-season RBI record (96) – and scored three runs. His 30 home runs this spring are also a school mark.
The Grizzlies (49-5; No. 3 NAIA national ranking) scored at least one run in all nine of their offensive innings on Tuesday. Playing as the visiting team, GGC jumped to a 10-0 lead behind a four-run second inning and five more runs in the third frame.
Appropriately for the record-breaking day, Sczepkowski opened the scoring with an RBI double to center field in the opening inning.
Sophomore
Caden Smith hit a run-scoring single to open the four-run second inning and junior
Jesus Pacheco added an RBI single later in the frame.
One inning later, Smith hit another RBI single to right field to begin a five-run frame. Junior
Cohen Wilbanks brought home another run with a single to give GGC a 7-0 lead. Junior
Jon Ponder connected on a two-home run – part of a 5-for-5 day, with three RBI and two runs scored.
Sophomore
Brett Dingess collected four hits while classmate
Braxton Meguiar added three hits and scored five runs.
The Grizzlies' 21 runs came on 21 hits in the decisive victory.
The team has scored a run in 16 of its 17 offensive innings this NAIA postseason.
GGC sophomore starting pitcher
Cameron Repetti improved to 12-0 on the season by scatting six hits and allowing two earned runs across seven strong innings. Sophomore
Gabe White had two strikeouts in two innings of relief.
"The offense was once again impressive. I was most pleased with how selfless the guys went about scoring the runs. Cameron (Repetti) gave us another quality start and we fed off his outing," said Head Coach
Jeremy Sheetinger.
The Grizzlies have scored a run in their last 16 offensive innings while tallying 39 runs in the national tournament. On Tuesday, four runs came in the second inning and five more were added in an inning later as the team built a quick 10-0 advantage. The team scored its 21 runs on 21 hits.
Top of First
Ajay Sczepkowski opened the scoring with an RBI double to center field
Top of Second
Caden Smith hit a run-scoring single down the right field line that brought home
Braxton Meguiar
Jesus Pacheco added an RBI single through the left side of the infield
Top of Third
Caden Smith lined an RBI single to right field that gave the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead
Cohen Wilbanks hit a run-scoring single
Jon Ponder connected on a two-home run to cap the team's five-run inning
Top of Fourth
Brett Dingess hit a run-scoring single that brought home
Joe Quelch
Top of Seventh
Brody Parkerson lined a two-run double to left-center field to plate the team's 18th run of the contest
Top of Eighth
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a two-run home run to become the first NAIA player to record a 30/30 season (30 home runs/30 steals)
- The Grizzlies scored its 21 runs on 21 hits in the second-day victory
- Junior Jon Ponder went 5-for-5 at the plate, with three RBI and two runs scored
- Junior Ajay Sczepkowski hit his 30th home run to become the first NAIA player to record a 30/30 season (30 home runs/30 steals); just the second college player ever to accomplish the feat – J.D. Drew of Florida State University (at the NCAA Division 1 level) in 1997
- GGC has scored in 16 of its 17 offensive innings during the Lawrenceville Bracket
- GGC improves to 49-5 in 2023, while Freed-Hardeman drops to 39-19 on the season
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Freed-Hardeman received votes in the same poll
- The team was the No. 1 seed in the NAIA Opening Round Lawrenceville Bracket; Freed-Hardeman stood as the 2 seed
- The team now leads the series history 5-4, with Tuesday's game marking the first victory over the Lions in NAIA postseason history
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play in the championship round of the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round on Wednesday, May 17, from the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 7 p.m.
