The opportunistic No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored nine runs with two outs in an inning to pull away from Huntington University (Indiana) for a 11-1 victory in seven innings in Friday night's season opener at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies tallied six runs in the seventh inning to collect the victory.

Earlier, senior right fielder Sam Seeker made a big contribution in his GGC debut, with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning putting the hosts ahead 2-0.

Huntington (0-2) got a run back in the top half of the fourth inning and threatened for more, but Preseason All-American senior shortstop Jackson Cobb made an inning-ending defensive play with the Foresters having a potential tying run at third base.

GGC took a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning as senior second baseman Braxton Meguiar, another Preseason All-American, lined a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield.

One inning later, senior catcher Matthew Lee brought home a pair of runs with a single down the right field line. That hit extended GGC's lead to 5-1. He then added a two-run single to left field as part of the six-run seventh inning.

Senior center fielder Jon Ponder capped the productive seventh inning with a two-run single to center field. The Preseason All-American was one of three Grizzlies to have multiple-hit performances in Friday's season opener.

Senior starting pitcher Ben Harris struck out six batters across five quality innings to pick up the victory. The Preseason All-American worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, striking out Kade Flores and keep the game scoreless.

"Ben has been a workhorse for us, and it was a no-brainer to give him the ball on Opening Day. I thought he did a great job even though he didn't have his best stuff. He just competed and threw strikes when needed," said Sheetinger.

Senior left-handed reliever Jeremiah Locklear tossed two hitless innings to complete the Grizzlies' strong pitching performances.

Lee paced GGC's nine-hit offensive attack by driving in four runs and going 2-for-3 at the plate. Senior left fielder Joe Quelch scored three times and collected two hits in the season opener.


 
Coach's Corner
"We just kept playing the game and things opened for us. Opening Day is about managing nerves and expectations. I thought the guys did an awesome job of keeping everything in a proper perspective and rallied around each other. I'm also happy with how we pitched, played defense and scored offensively," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies' final nine runs were scored in clutch-hitting situations, with two outs in an inning. Six players touched home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning. Seniors Matthew Lee and Jon Ponder hit consecutive two-run RBI singles to highlight that final offensive inning.
 
Key Plays
Top of Second
GGC's starting pitcher Ben Harris struck out Kade Flores with the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless
 
Bottom of Third
Sam Seeker connected on a two-run home run over the right field fence to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 advantage
 
Top of Fourth
Shortstop Jackson Cobb made a diving stop and tossed out Bryce Deckman to end the frame and maintain a 2-1 GGC lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Braxton Meguiar lined a run-scoring single that brought home Jon Ponder, who had doubled in the frame
 
Bottom of Seventh
Paul Winland Jr. hit an RBI single to plate the second run of the frame
Matthew Lee added a two-run single to left field to give GGC a 9-1 lead
Jon Ponder lined a single to center field to score two more runs
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Huntington by a 9-3 margin
• Senior right fielder Sam Seeker hit the team's first home run of the 2025 season in his first plate appearance as a Grizzly
• GGC went 7-for-12 and scored nine runs with two outs in an inning on Friday
• Senior starting pitcher Ben Harris struck out six batters across five innings

News & Notes

• GGC opened the 2025 season on Friday; Huntington is 0-2 after opening the spring with two games Friday at the Grizzly Baseball Complex
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• Friday's game marked the first meeting between the two colleges
• GGC went 39-4 at home during the 2024 campaign

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to return to the Grizzly Baseball Complex on Saturday, February 1, hosting Midway University (Kentucky) at 2 p.m. and Huntington University (Indiana) at 6 p.m.