The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team swept a thrilling doubleheader at No. 8 William Carey University (Mississippi) on Friday by 9-7 and 10-9 scores in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The victories extended the Grizzlies' winning streak to 10 games.

GGC (30-3) scored four runs in the fourth inning of the opener to take the lead for good. Senior Paul Winland Jr. connected on a two-run homer to cap the productive inning.

Later, senior Scott Seeker hit a run-scoring triple to left-center field that gave the visitors a 6-2 advantage in the eighth inning. Senior Kyle Norton brought home two more runs with a double during the ninth inning as the visitors' lead grew to 9-2.

William Carey (26-7) threatened in the bottom half of the ninth inning. Josh Alexander cleared the bases with a triple to center field. An RBI ground out for the second out in the inning trimmed the deficit to 9-7.

GGC senior reliever Wyatt Dodgens was able to strike out Eli Collins to secure the series-opening triumph.

The visitors won a back-and-forth nightcap in 10 innings after GGC scored three times in the seventh inning to take a 9-8 lead. Winland Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI triple.

The Crusaders came back to tie the contest at 9-9 following an error with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings.

GGC quickly regained the lead, at 10-9, following an RBI double from Seeker in the top of the 10th inning. Senior reliever Tyler E. Martin got out a jam in the bottom of the 10th inning after William Carey placed the potential tying and game-winning runs in scoring positions, with no outs. Martin got consecutive ground ball outs before striking out Ty Little to preserve the one-run triumph.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the first inning. Senior Jackson Cobb hit a grand slam before Winland Jr. followed with his second homer of the day.

Senior Jon Ponder connected on a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to tie the contest at 6-6.

William Carey took a 6-5 lead behind a four-run fourth inning. DeeJay Booth cleared the bases with a triple for the go-ahead base hit.

Projected severe weather forecast for the Hattiesburg area has canceled Saturday's third game of the originally scheduled series.
 
Coach's Corner
"We knew that this was going to be a statement series, not only nationally, but for us to internally figure out what kind of team we have. I could not be more thrilled in our response and the grit that our guys showed in these games. We showed up. Both wins were 'team' wins. The at-bat that epitomizes the day was the 10th inning run-scoring double by Scott Seeker. It was an absolute battle," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies won their second extra-inning contest of the 2025 season to cap Friday's thrilling doubleheader sweep at No. 8 William Carey. Senior Scott Seeker hit a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the 10th inning to give GGC a 10-9 lead. The Crusaders then threatened in the home half, putting the potential tying and game-winning runs in scoring positions with no outs. Senior reliever Tyler E. Martin got two ground ball outs and struck out Ty Little to secure the one-run triumph.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Fourth
Paul Winland Jr. connected on a two-run home run to give the Grizzlies a 4-1 lead
 
Top of Eighth
Braxton Meguiar hit a run-scoring double that brought home Jon Ponder
Scott Seeker had a triple to bring home another run
 
Top of Ninth
Kyle Norton added a two-run double to left-center field, extending the lead to 9-2
 
Second Game
Top of First
Jackson Cobb hit a grand slam to quickly give GGC a 4-0 lead
Paul Winland Jr. followed with a home run
 
Bottom of Fourth
DeeJay Booth hit a go-ahead three-run triple to give the Crusaders a 6-5 advantage
 
Top of Sixth
Jon Ponder connected on a solo home run to tie the contest at 6-6
 
Top of Eighth
Paul Winland Jr. had a triple to score two runs that gave GGC a 9-8 lead
 
Top of 10th
Scott Seeker hit an RBI double to score Alex Harrell for the go-ahead run, at 10-9
 
Bottom of 10th
Tyler E. Martin got out of situation with runners at third and second bases, with no outs, by getting two ground ball outs and then struck out Ty Little to end the contest
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies registered 23 hits, with 14 coming in Friday's opener
• Junior Alex Harrell scored three of his four runs on the day in the second contest
• GGC connected on four home runs across both games, with senior Paul Winland Jr. clearing the fences in each contest
• The pitching staff combined for 29 strikeouts in the doubleheader sweep

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 30-3 in 2025; William Carey drops to 26-7 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; William Carey stood No. 8 in the same poll
• The team has won nine of the 10 meetings in the series with the Crusaders
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won both of its extra-inning contests in 2025

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to hosts Blue Mountain College (Mississippi) on Friday, April 4, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 5 p.m.