The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team put together 33 hits to score 29 runs in picking up two victories on Friday at the Grizzly Baseball Complex to sweep a four-game weekend series against two Indiana opponents and improve to 9-1 on the season.

GGC, ranked No. 3 nationally, scored seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat Indiana Wesleyan University 14-4 in eight innings during the day's opening game. Then, the team plated 12 runs across the first three innings to pick up a 15-4 seven-inning triumph against Indiana University Kokomo.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 6-1 lead against Indiana Wesleyan behind a two-run second inning, and added two more runs during the fourth inning. Senior Jon Ponder gave the hosts a 3-1 lead with a run-scoring single in the second inning.

The Wildcats (4-3) would threaten in the later stages of the contest, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 6-4.

However, the momentum shifted back to the Grizzlies in the bottom of the frame as senior Braxton Meguiar hit a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield. Senior Paul Winland Jr. scored a pair of runs with a single to extend GGC's lead to 10-4. Senior Matthew Lee then brought home two more runs with a triple to right field.

In the nightcap, GGC took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI ground out by Meguiar. Senior Jackson Cobb added a double to center field to score Winland Jr. for the team's seventh run of the contest.

Junior Alex Harrell drove in two runs with a double as the Grizzlies added five more runs in the third inning.

GGC stole 12 bases in the victory against IU Kokomo.

Harrell led the balanced offensive attack by registering three hits in each of Friday's contests. He went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs in the nightcap. Meguiar tallied three hits against Indiana Wesleyan and scored twice. Ponder went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored from the leadoff spot in the team's batting order.

Junior starting pitcher Austin Testerman struck out eight batters and scattered four hits in five strong innings against Indiana Wesleyan to improve his record to 3-0 on the season. Junior reliever Coleman Willis tossed 3.2 productive innings, striking out batters to pick up his first as a Grizzly in the nightcap.


 
Coach's Corner
"Today shows the toughness of this group, because they will always respond to a challenge. Indiana Wesleyan had a strong starter (defeated No. 5 University of the Cumberlands last Saturday) so we knew we had to come prepared to play today. We also had a more consistent approach (than in Thursday's two games) and the results proved that on the scoreboard in the two games today," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
After Indiana Wesleyan threatened and got within two runs, to trail 6-4, in the top of the seventh inning, the Grizzlies pulled away from the Wildcats behind a seven-run home half of the inning. Senior Paul Winland Jr. hit a two-run single up the middle before classmate Matthew Lee hit a triple that scored a pair of runs during the productive frame.
 
Key Plays
Indiana Wesleyan Game
Bottom of Second
Kyle Norton hit a run-scoring single up to the middle to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead
Jon Ponder added a run-scoring single that brought home Sam Seeker
 
Bottom of Third
Matthew Lee extended the lead, to 4-1, with an infield RBI single
 
Bottom of Fourth
Jackson Cobb lined a double to center field to score a run
Alex Harrell scored followed a wild pitch as GGC's lead grew to 6-1
 
Bottom of Seventh
Braxton Meguiar opened the seven-run frame with an RBI single
Paul Winland Jr. drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle to give the Grizzlies a 10-4 advantage
Matthew Lee legged out a triple to plate two runs
 
IU Kokomo Game
Bottom of Second
Joe Mrowiec successfully stole home as Zayd Brannigan swiped second base
Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI ground out to third base to give GGC a 5-3 lead
Jackson Cobb legged out to a double to bring home Paul Winland Jr. to cap a four-run frame
 
Bottom of Third
Jacob Bohacek collected a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield
Alex Harrell brought home a pair of runs with a double to plate the team's 10th run of the contest
 
Bottom of Fourth
Zayd Brannigan stole home on the backend of Jon Ponder stealing second base
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered 33 hits across Friday's action, highlighted by 21 hits against Indiana Wesleyan
• The Grizzlies stole 12 bases in the nightcap against IU Kokomo
• Junior Alex Harrell went 6-for-9 with four RBI and five runs scored across the two games
• Seven different pitchers appeared on the mound for the Grizzlies

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 9-1 on the season; Indiana Wesleyan stands 4-3 in 2025; IU Kokomo is 2-9 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Indiana Wesleyan received votes in the same poll
• GGC now leads the all-time series with Indiana Wesleyan 4-2, including a 4-1 mark in games played in Lawrenceville; Friday's win improved the team to 2-0 all-time against IU Kokomo
• GGC scored 48 runs in sweeping the four-game weekend set

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host OUAZ and the University of Saint Francis (Indiana) on Friday, February 21, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, with games at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.