Hope International University (California) scored 10 runs across the final two innings to rally past the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team 15-11 Wednesday afternoon in the Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.

The loss marks the Grizzlies' third semifinal-round finish in its last six World Series trips.

GGC (53-9) matched the program's second most wins in a season.

The Royals (44-16) rallied from an 11-5 deficit by plating four runs in the eighth inning and using a six-run ninth inning to complete the comeback. Derek Sims opened the eighth with a home run before JJ Cruz added a run-scoring double that trimmed the deficit to 11-8.

One inning later, the No. 4 seed benefitted from a bases-loaded hit by pitch and walk to tie the contest at 11-11. Alex Moreno then brought home a pair of runs with an infield single to shortstop and Alec Arnone collected a two-run single to left field to cap the team's six-run inning.

GGC used a five-run second inning to grab a 6-3 advantage. Senior Ajay Sczepkowski hit an infield RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. Junior Henry Daniels followed with a two-run double to left center field.

Junior Joe Quelch led off the third inning with his 11th home run of the season.

Later, junior Braxton Meguiar hit a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield before Daniels collected an RBI single as part of a three-run fifth inning.
  Hope International scored 10 runs across the final two innings to rally past the Grizzlies in an elimination-round game. The Royals trailed 11-9 heading into the ninth inning before a hit by pitch with the bases loaded was followed by a walk to tie the contest. Then, the California team brought home two runs in consecutive at-bats with one out in the top of the ninth inning to complete the comeback.
  Top of First
JJ Cruz connected on a three-run home run
 
Bottom of First
Braxton Meguiar hit a run-scoring single that brought home Blaze O'Saben
 
Bottom of Second
Ajay Sczepkowski collected an RBI single that tied the contest, at 3-3
Henry Daniels lined a two-run double to cap a five-run inning
 
Bottom of Third
Joe Quelch led off the inning with a homer
 
Bottom of Fifth
Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI single through the right side of the infield
Henry Daniels added a run-scoring single that extended the lead to 10-5
 
Top of Eighth
Derek Sims opened the frame with a home run
David Rivera hit an RBI double to left field
JJ Cruz added a run-scoring double that cut the deficit to 11-8
 
Top of Ninth
David Rivera drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the contest, at 11-11
Alex Moreno hit an RBI single to shortstop that plated two more runs
Alec Arnone collected a two-run single to left field that capped a six-run inning
 

• Hope International outhit the Grizzlies by a 20-13 margin
• Four different GGC players scored two runs
• Junior Joe Quelch hit his 11th home run of the season
• The Grizzlies left eight base runners in the contest

• GGC ends the season with a 53-9 record; Hope International improves to 44-16 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Hope International stood No. 10 in the same poll
• The team was the No. 2 seed in the Avista NAIA World Series bracket; Hope International was the No. 4 seed
• Wednesday's meeting marked the fifth postseason contest between the two colleges since 2021