The NAIA's No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team tallied 24 hits to score 18 runs in splitting two games on Saturday to begin a weekend road trip to Beckley, West Virginia.

The Grizzlies (35-4) opened the day with a 15-2 seven-inning triumph against fellow Continental Athletic Conference foe Fisher College (Massachusetts). Then, the team dropped a 5-3 contest to the host West Virginia Tech.

In the first game, GGC used consecutive three-run innings in the fifth and sixth innings to build a 7-2 advantage against the Falcons (18-15). Senior Jon Ponder led off the game with his fourth home run of the season.

Senior Braxton Meguiar gave the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead with a two-run single during the fifth inning. He later scored following a passed ball.

One inning later, Ponder collected an RBI double before Meguiar drove in a pair of runs with a single.

The Grizzlies plated eight runs during the seventh inning to secure the triumph. Ponder opened the productive frame with a run-scoring double. Junior Alex Harrell tallied a two-run single to left field before senior Jackson Cobb hit an RBI double to left field. Senior Zayd Brannigan rounded out the scoring with a two-run single to right field.

Senior starting pitcher Brendan Moody picked up his fourth win of the season, striking out nine batters in tossing a complete game.

Meguiar went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs, while Ponder tallied three hits and scored three times. Cobb also had three hits and scored a pair of runs.

In the nightcap, West Virginia Tech (14-21) took a 3-0 lead following a two-run single by Cameron Lynch in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Harrell registered an RBI double during the sixth inning to trim the deficit to 4-1.

The Grizzlies attempted a ninth-inning rally as junior Tyler M. Martin drove in a run with a single to right field. Senior Kyle Norton added a sacrifice fly to bring the visitors within two runs, at 5-3. The team put the potential game-tying run at second base before a fly out to left field ended the contest.

Meguiar registered three hits for the Grizzlies to lead the team's nine-hit offensive attack in the second game.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies broke Saturday's opener against fellow Continental Athletic Conference opponent Fisher open by plating three runs in the sixth inning to take a 7-2 lead. Senior Jon Ponder hit an RBI double that was followed by a two-run single from classmate Braxton Meguiar during the productive inning.
 
Key Plays
Fisher Game
Top of First
Jon Ponder led off the game with a home run to right field
 
Top of Fifth
Braxton Meguiar hit a two-run single to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead
Braxton Meguiar scored following a passed ball
 
Top of Sixth
Jon Ponder tallied an RBI double
Braxton Meguiar drove in a pair of runs with a single to extend the lead to 7-2
 
Top of Seventh
Jon Ponder collected a run-scoring single to left field
Alex Harrell hit an RBI double to plate a pair of runs
Jackson Cobb had an RBI double to left field
Zayd Brannigan brought home a pair of runs with a run-scoring single, capping an eight-run inning
 
West Virginia Tech Game
Top of Sixth
Alex Harrell hit an RBI double to center field to trim the deficit to 3-1
 
Top of Ninth
Tyler M. Martin collected a run-scoring single to right field
Kyle Norton hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Matthew Lee
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC tallied 24 hits across Saturday's two games, with 15 hits coming against Fisher
• Senior Braxton Meguiar went 6-for-8, drove in four runs, and scored another run
• Senior Jon Ponder hit his fourth home run of the 2025 season
• The Grizzlies successfully stole seven bases in Saturday's opener

News & Notes

• GGC is 35-4 on the season; Fisher stands 18-15 in 2025; West Virginia Tech is 14-21 this spring
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team has won 40 of the 41 meetings against Fisher and has a 15-3 lead in the series history with West Virginia Tech
• Georgia Gwinnett College and Fisher are members of the Continental Athletic Conference

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the weekend with a pair of games against fellow Continental Athletic Conference opponent Fisher College (Massachusetts) and West Virginia Tech on Sunday, April 13, in Beckley, West Virginia, starting at noon.