Junior Bryce Lesher hit the second cycle in program history and the first since 2017 as the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team matched four program records in a 27-0 victory against Clark Atlanta University on Wednesday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

Lesher went 5-for-6, had eight RBI and scored three runs to lead GGC's 25-hit offensive attack in the midweek game. He joins John Paul Rodriguez as the only players in school history to hit for the cycle (having a home run, triple, double, and single) as Rodriguez accomplished the feat during the Association of Independent Institutions Baseball Championship game against Talladega College (Alabama) on May 8, 2017.

"It was awesome to do something this rare (hitting for the cycle). Not many people saw it coming, including myself, but I kept seeing the ball well all day long and got good swings in those at-bats," said Lesher.

The designated hitters' five hits, eight RBI and 12 total bases tie single-game individual school records. GGC's 25 hits also matched the program's best performance.

Lesher's day started with a double in the first inning before connecting on a three-run home run as part of the team's 10-run fourth inning. He later collected a two-run single, also during the fourth inning, before dashing around the bases for a triple that opened the sixth inning.

Lesher accomplished the feat after senior Ajay Sczepkowski and junior Paul Winland Jr. each recorded three of the four hits needed for the cycle during last Saturday's doubleheader sweep against Cumberland University (Tennessee).

"Ajay and Paul were really close last week, but Bryce showed them the way to get (the cycle) done. I don't know if we really put it altogether in the dugout, but then the triple happened and everybody started putting things together (about the hitting achievement). Bryce can really hit and I'm so happy for him," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

The hosts sent 15 batters to the plate during a nine-run first inning to seize control of the contest. The first six batters all reached safely to produce five runs. Sczepkowski opened the scoring with a two-run double. Junior Caden Smith extended the lead to 5-0 with a two-run single through the right side of the infield.

Junior Braxton Meguiar capped the fast start with an infield RBI single as the Grizzlies (31-5) extended their winning streak to a season-best 10 games.

Lesher drove in five runs as part of the 10-run fourth inning. Junior Jackson Cobb legged out a triple to score senior Blaze O'Saben. Junior Brody Parkerson lined a two-run double to left-center field before classmate Henry Daniels hit an RBI single to right field. Sophomore Nico Sall provided an infield RBI single during the big offensive inning.

Four GGC pitchers combined on a one-hit shutout and having 11 strikeouts. Junior starting pitcher Hunter Polley retired all 12 batters he faced, recording six strikeouts in improving to 2-0 on the season. Junior relievers Ethan Anderson, Jaden Bankston and Jordan Davis each tossed a scoreless inning with Bankston and Davis striking out a pair of Panthers during the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.

"These are the type of games that can get away from you on the mound. I was happy with how competitive we were this evening. It was one of the best all-around team games that we've had," said Sheetinger.


  "This was the epitome of a team game. We wanted to incorporate a lot of our bench and get work for our bullpen. I loved the energy in the dugout and how positive the guys were for each other," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
  The Grizzlies sent 15 batters to the plate during a nine-run first inning to seize control of the midweek contest. Senior Blaze O'Saben collected two hits from the leadoff spot in the batting order during the opening frame. The first six batters all reached safely for GGC and helped score five runs before the first out was recorded.
  Bottom of First
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a two-run double to center field that opened the scoring
Paul Winland Jr. followed with an RBI double
Caden Smith drove in a pair of runs with a single through the right side of the infield
Braxton Meguiar hit a run-scoring single and a throwing error on the play allowed for another run to score that extended the lead to 9-0
 
Bottom of Second
Bryce Lesher hit an RBI ground out to second base that brought home Caden Smith
 
Bottom of Fourth
Bryce Lesher connected on a three-run homer to right field
Jackson Cobb legged out a triple to score Blaze O'Saben that gave the Grizzlies a 14-0 lead
Brody Parkerson lined a double to left-center field to plate two runs with two outs
 
Bottom of Sixth
Bryce Lesher led off the frame with a triple to complete hitting for a cycle
Henry Daniels added a run-scoring single to center field
Nico Sall followed with a two-run double that brought home the 26th run of the game
 

• The Grizzlies matched a program record with 25 hits in a contest
• Junior Bryce Lesher tied the single-game record with five hits, eight RBI and 12 total bases as he hit for the cycle by going 5-for-6 on Wednesday
• Four pitchers combined to strike out 11 batters
• Thirteen different Grizzlies registered a hit

• GGC improves to 31-5 on the season; Clark Atlanta drops to 6-27 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Wednesday's contest marked the first meeting between the two programs
• Junior Bryce Lesher recorded the second cycle in program history, matching the feat first accomplished by John Paul Rodriguez during the Association of Independent Institutions Baseball Championship game against Talladega College (Alabama) on May 8, 2017

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Bryan College (Tennessee) for a doubleheader on Friday, April 5, at Dayton, Tennessee, starting at 3 p.m.