The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team responded to a pair of Saturday afternoon challenges in a big way, collecting two decisive victories at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (12-2) scored 10 runs in the opening frame to defeat the University of Saint Francis (Indiana) 16-3 in the first game. Then, three pitchers combined to shutout OUAZ in a 9-0 triumph during the weekend finale.

OUAZ, which received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, had scored a 12-9 victory over GGC on Friday, collecting 11 hits in the process.

Fifteen batters went to the plate in the first inning against Saint Francis (2-9). Senior Scott Seeker drove in a pair of runs with a single to right field, giving the hosts a 6-0 advantage. His younger brother, senior Sam Seeker, successfully stole home with the bases loaded to plate another run against the Cougars.

Junior Alex Harrell hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score senior Jon Ponder for the second time in the frame. Classmate Tyler M. Martin added a run-scoring single to cap the productive first inning. Martin connected on his first home run as a Grizzly in the fifth inning while going 3-for-3 at the plate, with four RBI and scoring three runs in the game.

Senior Matthew Lee had a triple to right field that scored two runs in the third inning.

In the nightcap, senior Paul Winland Jr. smashed two home runs – the team's first multiple home run game of the season – to lead GGC's nine-hit offensive attack. The third baseman led off the third inning with his first round tripper and later added a towering two-run homer over the center field fence in the sixth inning.

Senior starting pitcher Anthony Patterson III scattered three hits across 5.1 innings to pick up his first win of the season. Seniors Jeremiah Locklear and Tyler E. Martin helped secure the shutout and didn't allow a hit in the commendable relief effort.

Harrell went 3-for-3, scored two runs and had three RBI.
 


Coach's Corner
"Apparently, this group loves to be challenged. We definitely came to play today and it was awesome to see the players' mindset shift. It's part of our journey and process to figure out how to get the best version of this team to show up every game. It was fun to watch today's effort," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies used big offensive innings to win each contest on Saturday. GGC plated 10 runs in the opening frame against Saint Francis. Then, the team pushed five runs across the plate in the third inning against OUAZ in the nightcap. Senior Paul Winland Jr. led off the productive third inning with the first of his two homers in the contest.
 
Key Plays
Saint Francis Game
Bottom of First
Scott Seeker lined a two-run single to right field to give GGC a quick 6-0 advantage
Sam Seeker successfully stole home with the bases loaded
Alex Harrell hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Jon Ponder, extending the lead to 9-0
Tyler M. Martin collected a run-scoring single to plate the 10th run of the frame
 
Bottom of Third
Matthew Lee had a two-run triple to right field to score two more runs that gave the Grizzlies a 12-1 lead
 
Bottom of Fifth
Tyler M. Martin connected on a solo home run to right field for his first round tripper of the season
 
OUAZ Game
Bottom of First
Alex Harrell hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Jon Ponder, who led off the game with a walk and then stole a base to get into scoring position
 
Bottom of Third
Paul Winland Jr. led off the frame with his first homer of the 2025 season over the right field fence to give GGC a 2-0 lead
Alex Harrell plated a pair of runs with a double to center field
 
Bottom of Fifth
Jackson Cobb hit a safety squeeze bunt to drive in Alex Harrell
 
Bottom of Sixth
Paul Winland Jr. hit a towering two-run homer to center field, giving the Grizzlies a 9-0 lead
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered nine hits in both contests on Saturday
• Junior Tyler M. Martin went 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's first triumph
• GGC successfully stole 14 bases on Saturday, highlighted by nine steals against Saint Francis
• Senior Anthony Patterson III scattered three hits across 5.1 innings to pick up his first win of the season

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 12-2 on the season; Saint Francis stands 2-9 this spring; OUAZ drops to 15-3 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; OUAZ received votes in the same poll
• GGC has won all five meetings with Saint Francis; Saturday's triumph evened the series history with OUAZ after two games
• Senior Paul Winland Jr. recorded the first multiple home run game of the season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Toccoa Falls College (Georgia) on Friday, February 28, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 5 p.m.