Two pitchers combined to toss a shutout as the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team picked up an 11-0 win in seven innings against the University of St. Francis (Illinois) on Tuesday afternoon at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

Senior left hander Jeremiah Locklear went into the sixth inning during his first career start. Junior reliever Jaxon Dennis followed by retiring all five batters he faced, with a pair of strikeouts, to secure GGC's second shutout of the season.

Locklear scattered five hits over 5.1 innings to improve his record to 2-0 for the season.

GGC (17-2 and winners of eight straight) started fast at the plate with senior Jon Ponder connecting on a leadoff home run over the left field fence. It was the first homer of the season for the 2023 first NAIA All-America team selection.

Senior Scott Seeker collected an RBI single as the hosts plated four runs in the opening frame. Classmate Jackson Cobb followed with a triple before senior Matthew Lee lined a run-scoring double to highlight the early offensive production.

The Grizzlies added six runs in the sixth inning as Cobb drew a bases-loaded walk before a pair of runs scored on one of three errors in the contest by St. Francis (3-8). Senior Kyle Norton brought home a pair of runs with a single through the right side of the infield.

Junior Alex Harrell and Seeker each went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the team's nine-hit offensive attack.


 
Coach's Corner
"Jeremiah did a really good job and was ready for this (starting) moment. It was a perfect opportunity for him in our first midweek opportunity of the season. He pounded the strike zone and trusted the defense behind him," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
GGC hit home runs in consecutive plate appearances to score consecutive victories this week against the Fighting Saints. Senior Jon Ponder led off the game with his first homer of the season, igniting a four-run opening frame. The Grizzlies won Sunday's meeting with St. Francis as senior Paul Winland Jr. hit a walk-off home run.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Jon Ponder led off the game with a home run over the left field fence
Scott Seeker collected a run-scoring single
Jackson Cobb legged out a triple to score Scott Seeker, giving the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead
Matthew Lee lined a run-scoring double to left field
 
Bottom of Second
Braxton Meguiar scored following a wild pitch
 
Bottom of Sixth
Jackson Cobb drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 6-0
Two runs scored following a throwing error
Kyle Norton hit a two-run single through the right side of the infield to cap a six-run frame
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit St. Francis by a 9-5 margin
• Senior Jon Ponder connected on his first home run of the 2025 season to lead off Tuesday's contest
• The Grizzlies drew eight walks in the victory
• Senior left hander Jeremiah Locklear went 5.1 innings in his first career starting assignment

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 17-2 in 2025; St. Francis drops to 3-8 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• GGC now leads the series with St. Francis 9-2
• Tuesday marked the first midweek game of the season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Thomas University (Georgia) and Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) on Friday, March 7, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, with games set for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.