Warner University (Florida) broke a 2-2 tie by scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team 5-2 to open a three-game weekend set on Friday night in Lake Wales, Florida.

GGC (3-1) had tied the contest behind a two-run single from senior Jackson Cobb in the top of the eighth inning.

However, the host Royals (2-0) loaded the bases in the bottom half of the frame behind a pair of walks and a one-out single. Then, Cesar Franco drew a bases-loaded walk to regain a 3-2 lead. Diego Guevara followed with a two-run single to center field that plated two key insurance runs.

Warner struck first on a run-scoring single by Julian Figueroa-Miranda in the opening inning. The lead grew to 2-0 in the fourth inning as Sebastian Kuhns was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Senior Jon Ponder opened the top of the eighth inning with a single. Classmate Braxton Meguiar followed with a walk before junior Alex Harrell lined a single to load the bases with no outs. Two batters later, Cobb lined a single to left field with one out to even the contest at 2-2. Warner's Noah Harsch got a strikeout and a flyout with the bases loaded to end the visitors' scoring threat.

Five different Grizzlies registered a hit in the setback.

Warner scored eight runs in its season-opening 11-4 win against No. 7 Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) on Tuesday.
 
Coach's Corner
"There's always an adjustment when a team goes on the road. This weekend is an opportunity for us to learn about ourselves. I'm excited to see how the players and coaching staff react to tonight's performance. Let's give a tip of the cap to Warner for making the plays to win this game. I'm looking forward to get back at the ballpark and see what we learned from this result," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
After tying the series opener in the top of the eighth inning at 2-2, Warner regained the advantage by plating three runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 5-2 lead. Cesar Franco drew a bases-loaded walk to score the eventual game-winning run. Diego Guevara then added a key single to score two additional runs.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Julian Figueroa-Miranda opened the scoring by hitting a run-scoring single to left field
 
Bottom of Fourth
Sebastian Kuhns was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving the Royals a 2-0 lead
 
Top of Eighth
Jackson Cobb tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run single to left field
 
Bottom of Eighth
Cesar Franco drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Royals a 3-2 lead
Diego Guevara followed with a two-run single to center field
 
Inside The Numbers

• Warner outhit the Grizzlies by an 11-5 margin
• Senior starting pitcher Ben Harris struck out six batters across six innings
• GGC hitters drew seven walks on Friday
• The Grizzlies left nine base runners on the base paths

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 3-1 in 2024; Warner improves to 2-0 on the season
• 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 14-5 away from Lawrenceville last season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the three-game weekend set against Warner University with a doubleheader on Saturday, February 8, at Lake Wales, Florida, starting at noon.