The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team hit a program-record seven home runs and six pitchers combined to toss the second no-hitter in program history during Wednesday's doubleheader sweep against Carolina University (North Carolina) at the Grizzly Baseball Complex that put an exclamation point on the team's regular season.

Senior Ajay Sczepkowski and junior Henry Daniels each connected on three home runs as the Grizzlies (44-6) won the first game 35-3. The team then scored in five of its six offensive innings of a 13-0 second-game triumph that was highlighted by the pitching staff combining to keep the Bruins (16-24-1) from collecting a hit.

GGC shattered the single-game school record by having 34 hits in the first contest, besting the previous mark of 25 hits. The team's 33 runs batted in and 67 total bases in a game are also new program marks.

"The guys are fully committed to doing their job and staying true with their swings. They know where they fit into the lineup and aren't trying to do too much. Our guys continue to execute the game plan, no matter the score," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

Daniels hit a three-run homer in the first inning to give the hosts a 4-1 lead.

Sczepkowski connected on a two-run home run in the third inning after collecting a double and triple during plate appearances in the first and second inning, respectively. He would later add a pair of two-run homers as part of a nine-run fourth inning.

Sczepkowski, Daniels and junior Jackson Cobb had consecutive homers to plate eight runs in the third inning. Daniels' last home run came in the seven-run sixth inning.

"Ajay and Henry have an internal competition about being the team's home run leader. Lately they are feeding off each other's performance: when one of them hits one, the other follows with an answer. They're holding each other accountable. It's great to see," said Sheetinger.

GGC scored multiple runs in all six of its offensive innings in the opening-game victory.

In the nightcap, junior Tyler Martin struck out four batters in tossing two scoreless innings. Classmate Hunter Polley pitched a scoreless and hitless top of the third inning before turning the ball over to junior Jaden Bankston for the fourth inning.

Sophomores Jordan Davis and Ethan Anderson also kept the Bruins off the scoreboard and the hit column during the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Junior Wyatt Dodgens struck out two of the three batters he faced to complete the historic no-hitter.

GGC pushed across three runs in the second and fourth innings to build a 7-0 lead. Junior Matthew Lee connected on his first home run of the season to add two runs during the second inning.

Senior Blaze O'Saben went 4-for-4, with three RBI and three runs scored, to highlight the offensive attack. Junior Braxton Meguiar tallied three hits and Lee collected two hits in the contest.

Wednesday's doubleheader sweep marked the 300th career coaching victory for Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 

COACH'S CORNER

"I'm going to remember this game. It was Grizzly Baseball through and through. We attacked the game. I've been fortunate to be around some really good players and hitting a milestone like this (300 career coaching victories) makes me reflect on my teams at Spalding and guys that have been here at GGC. The players score the runs and throw the strikes. Coaches are just benefactors of really good players," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 

TURNING POINT

Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored at least 30 runs for the third time in their last four home games. Meanwhile, six pitchers combined to toss a no-hitter in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep. Senior Ajay Sczepkowski and junior Henry Daniels each connected on three home runs as the team sent seven pitches over the outfield wall – setting a new program record – in the 35-3 victory.
 

KEY PLAYS

First Game
Bottom of First
Henry Daniels connected on a three-run home run that gave the Grizzlies a 4-1 lead
Paul Winland Jr. collected an RBI single
 
Bottom of Third
Blaze O'Saben legged out an RBI triple that extended the lead to 9-1
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a two-run home run to left field
Jackson Cobb added a run-scoring single
Joe Quelch hit a triple to score Paul Winland Jr. as part of an eight-run inning
 
Bottom of Fourth
Ajay Sczepkowski hit a two-run home run
Henry Daniels followed with a solo homer
Jackson Cobb connected on his first home run of the season as the Grizzlies hit three consecutive homers
Brett Dingess hit a two-run single to right field
Ajay Sczepkowski hit his second two-run homer of the inning to cap GGC's nine-run frame
 
Bottom of Sixth
Henry Daniels hit a solo home run for his third homer of the contest
Blaze O'Saben added a two-run single up the middle
 
Second Game
Bottom of Second
Matthew Lee connected on his first home run of the season to score two runs
Ajay Sczepkowski hit an RBI single to left field that gave GGC a 4-0 lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Jackson Cobb added a sacrifice fly as the Grizzlies scored three runs in the frame
 
Bottom of Fifth
Blaze O'Saben brought home a pair of runs with a double
 
Bottom of Sixth
Blaze O'Saben lined a run-scoring double to right-center field
Braxton Meguiar followed with an RBI single that scored the team's 13th run of the contest
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Grizzlies set a single-game school record with 34 hits in the opener
• Senior Ajay Sczepkowski and junior Henry Daniels matched the program record with three home runs in a single game during Wednesday's opener
• Six pitchers combined in the nightcap to toss the second no-hitter in program history
• GGC stole 11 bases in the second game

NEWS & NOTES

• GGC improves to 44-6 on the season; Carolina drops to 16-24-1 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Wednesday marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• The doubleheader sweep gave Georgia Gwinnett College Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger his 300th career coaching victory

UP NEXT

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to begin the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Championship Tournament against No. 4 seed Florida National University on Saturday, May 4, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 1 p.m.