An all-around strong performance led the No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to a 11-1 seventh-inning victory against Thomas University (Georgia) on Friday night at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. It was the team's ninth straight triumph.

The Grizzlies (18-2) scored in the last six of their seven offensive innings in the game, while starting pitcher Ben Harris scattered four hits across 6.1 innings on the mound. The defense also didn't commit an error.

Harris took a no-hit bid into the fifth inning to improve to 4-0 for the season. The right hander struck out five batters and tossed just 66 pitches in the dominant pitching performance.

"There was a different energy at the ballpark today. We played Grizzly-style baseball and I had everything working (pitching). The defense did great behind me and lowered my pitch count," said Harris.

GGC used a three-run second inning to jumpstart the night's productive offensive attack.

Senior Paul Winland Jr. hit a run-scoring single to open the scoring before classmate Jon Ponder lined an RBI single to right field later in the frame.

Senior Scott Seeker added a ground out to second base that pushed home another run to extend the host's lead to 4-0 in the third inning.

The offensive momentum carried over into the fifth inning as Seeker lined a run-scoring single down the right field line. Winland Jr. collected his second RBI single of the contest to plate the team's seventh run of the contest.

"We wanted to make sure we were good in the middle innings and separate from our opponent. The guys answered the challenge once again. I love the fact that we are bought in to the total-team offensive approach. We manufactured runs, like scoring a run by hitting an infield ground ball. That's a big deal and showcases our players' high baseball IQ," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

Senior Braxton Meguiar added an RBI single to right field during the sixth inning before classmate Zayd Brannigan tallied a run-scoring single one inning later.

Meguiar, Ponder and Winland Jr. each collected two hits in Friday's triumph.


 
Coach's Corner
"Ben certainly delivered a strong start, something that we've come to expect from him throughout the years. His ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes and get ahead of every batter makes him a quality pitcher," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies' 12-hit offensive attack brought home runs in six of the seven innings in the game. Seniors Braxton Meguiar, Jon Ponder and Paul Winland Jr. each collected two hits – among nine different players to collect a hit. Meanwhile, senior pinch runner/infielder Zayd Brannigan scored three runs while senior Scott Seeker, Jackson Cobb and Meguiar each scored two runs.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Second
Paul Winland Jr. hit a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield to bring home Jackson Cobb
Kyle Norton added a sacrifice fly to right field, giving GGC a 2-0 lead
Jon Ponder lined an RBI single to cap the team's three-run frame
 
Bottom of Third
Scott Seeker hit an RBI ground out to second base
 
Bottom of Fifth
Scott Seeker lined a run-scoring single down the right field line to plate Braxton Meguiar
Paul Winland Jr. added an RBI single to left field that gave the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead
 
Bottom of Sixth
Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI single to right field
 
Bottom of Seventh
Zayd Brannigan tallied a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield to bring home the team's 10th run of the contest
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC outhit Thomas by a 12-4 margin on Friday night
• Nine different Grizzlies registered a hit in the weekend opener
• Senior starting pitcher Ben Harris struck out five batters in improving to 4-0 on the season
• Senior second baseman Braxton Meguiar recorded five assists defensively in the contest

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 18-2 this spring; Thomas drops to 5-16 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 4 in the first regular-season NAIA Top 25 poll
• GGC now leads the series with Thomas 8-5, including victories in four of the five games played in Lawrenceville
• The team is 13-1 during its current 16-game home stand

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) and Thomas University (Georgia) on Saturday, March 8, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, with games set for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.