The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team earned a split of a home doubleheader on Friday afternoon, defeating the University of Saint Francis (Indiana) 10-2 in the nightcap after dropping a 12-9 decision to OUAZ to begin a four-game weekend set at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (10-2) used a five-run fourth inning to defeat the Cougars (1-8). Senior Scott Seeker opened the big frame with a sacrifice bunt to bring home junior Alex Harrell. Junior Grant Pohlman drew a walk with the bases loaded to give the team a 4-0 lead. Senior Jon Ponder hit a liner to right field for a sacrifice fly that scored senior Zayd Brannigan later in the inning.

Seeker added a run-scoring single to left field for an 8-0 advantage.

GGC managed to win the contest even though its offense was limited to five hits. Saint Francis pitching issued 10 walks and the hosts successfully stole nine bases, led by Ponder's three steals.

Senior starting pitcher Ben Harris scattered three hits across five scoreless innings to improve his record to 2-0 for the season. He struck out six batters on the evening.

Earlier in the day, the No. 3-ranked Grizzlies nearly rallied to overcome a huge deficit against OUAZ, a team that received votes in the NAIA preseason poll. The Spirit (15-1) jumped out a 4-2 lead through two innings before pushing across four runs in the sixth inning to take an 11-3 lead.

Joey Winters hit a two-run homer in the opening frame and went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in the contest. Dante Leach scored three times and collected two hits. Nano Perez also registered two hits in the victory.

The Grizzlies mounted a rally in the seventh inning as junior Tyler M. Martin drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle. Senior Matthew Lee trimmed the deficit to 12-9 following a two-run double down the right-field line. The team brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but OUAZ relief pitcher Bo Garza got a double play to end the threat.


 
Coach's Corner
"The secret to success is getting a quality start. Ben did a good job of commanding his pitches and attacking the zone. Overall, we've got to be better at the little things. Hopefully, this group will learn from today's performance. We have a chance tomorrow to be better because of it," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
A five-run fourth inning was the deciding factor in the nightcap victory. A sacrifice bunt by senior Scott Seeker brought home junior Alex Harrell with the initial run and junior Grant Pohlman drew a bases-loaded walk for another tally. A run-scoring hit by senior Jon Ponder scored senior Zayd Brannigan later in the inning.
 
Key Plays
OUAZ Game
Top of First
Joey Winters hit a two-run home run over the right field fence to give the Spirit a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of First
Braxton Meguiar hit an infield RBI single to plate Jon Ponder
 
Bottom of Second
Jackson Cobb led off the frame with his homer of the season to trim the deficit to 4-2
 
Top of Fifth
Joey Winters hit a run-scoring single to give the visitors a 6-2 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Paul Winland Jr. collected an RBI double to center field that scored Kyle Norton for the hosts
 
Bottom of Seventh
Tyler M. Martin drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle
Matthew Lee hit a double down the right field line to plate two runs and bring the Grizzlies within 12-9
 
Saint Francis Game
Bottom of Third
Tyler M. Martin hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Jon Ponder for a 2-0 GGC lead
 
Bottom of Fourth
Jon Ponder hit a sacrifice fly to cap a five-run frame
 
Bottom of Fifth
Scott Seeker hit an RBI single to left field to give GGC a commanding 8-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC tallied 17 hits across Friday's two games, highlighted by 12 hits against OUAZ
• The Grizzlies stole nine bases in the victory against Saint Francis
• Senior Jon Ponder scored twice in both contests

News & Notes

• GGC is 10-2 this spring; OUAZ stands 15-1 on the season; Saint Francis is 1-8 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; OUAZ received votes in the same poll
• Friday's meeting marked the first game played between GGC and OUAZ; GGC now leads the series with Saint Francis by a 4-0 margin

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host the University of Saint Francis (2 p.m.) and OUAZ (5 p.m.) on Saturday, February 22, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.