A 38-year NAIA team record and a program individual mark fell as the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team closed out the regular season by sweeping a doubleheader against Fisher College (Massachusetts) by 23-0 and 6-1 scores on Saturday in Boston.

The Grizzlies (46-4) set the NAIA single season stolen base record by collecting 14 steals in the games that concluded a four-game weekend series. The team now has 330 stolen bases to surpass the previous mark of 328 set by Texas College during the 1987 season.

"Baserunning has been part of our offensive identity during the last six years. This year's group has really bought in and committed to playing Grizzly baseball. It is all about the players on the field. We thought this (the NAIA base stealing record) was achievable, with the athleticism of the players on this team. They will forever be cemented in the game's history," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

Meanwhile, senior Jon Ponder connected on two home runs and set a single-game program record with nine RBI in the day's opening game. GGC scored in all seven offensive innings within the contest.

Senior Braxton Meguiar gave the visitors a 4-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to center field in the top of the second inning.

The team plated eight runs during the fourth inning to build a 13-0 advantage. Ponder drove in two runs with a single through the left side of the infield. Junior Alex Harrell added an RBI single to left field to give GGC an 8-0 lead. Senior Scott Seeker followed with a three-run home run over the right field fence. Junior Tyler M. Martin capped the productive inning with a sacrifice fly that scored senior Zayd Brannigan.

Ponder led off the fifth inning with his first homer of the contest. He later connected on a grand slam during the seventh inning. In between the round trippers was a two-run double in the sixth inning – part of a 5-for-6 hitting performance, with five runs scored.

In the nightcap, GGC built a 6-1 lead through the first three innings and relied on strong relief pitching to hold onto that winning margin. Ponder had a run-scoring single through the middle of Fisher's infield during the second inning.

Seeker added a run-scoring double down the left field line as part of a three-run third inning.

Five pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters, including the last nine outs of the game. Senior reliever Wyatt Dodgens improved his record to 7-0 on the season by scattering two hits across three innings. Junior Andrew Johnson joined seniors Jeremiah Locklear and Tyler E. Martin in each striking out three batters to toss a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
 
Coach's Corner
"This was a team effort and approach to how we wanted to attack the day. We did an excellent job of sticking with the game plan. Jon has worked his way through the season. He is really seeing the ball well and the game is rewarding his perseverance. He had a special day," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored a run in the first 10 innings across Saturday's doubleheader. GGC hit three home runs during the opener, including a pair from senior Jon Ponder. After a three-run first inning, the team pushed across a single run during the second and third innings. Then, after plating eight runs in the fourth inning, the Grizzlies scored once in the fifth inning. The visitors began the nightcap by scoring a run in the first three innings.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Matthew Lee was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving GGC a quick 2-0
Alex Harrell scored following a wild pitch
 
Top of Third
Paul Winland Jr.'s sacrifice fly to center field extended the lead to 5-0
 
Top of Fourth
Jon Ponder drove in a pair of runs with a single
Alex Harrell collected an RBI single
Scott Seeker connected on a towering three-run home run to right field, giving GGC an 11-0 lead
Tyler M. Martin added a sacrifice fly to right field to cap the team's eight-run frame
 
Top of Fifth
Jon Ponder led off the inning with a home run
 
Top of Seventh
Jon Ponder hit a grand slam to drive in his school-record ninth run of the contest
 
Second Game
Top of Second
Tyler M. Martin hit a fielder's choice that brought home Joe Quelch
Jon Ponder's RBI single up the middle gave GGC a 3-0 lead
 
Top of Third
Scott Seeker added a run-scoring double
Jackson Cobb scored following a wild pitch to give the visitors a 6-1 advantage
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered 21 hits across Saturday's doubleheader, with 14 coming in the opener
• Senior reliever Wyatt Dodgens recorded his seventh victory of the season
• Senior Jon Ponder connected on two home runs and drove in a single-game school record nine runs during the day's opener
• Five Grizzly pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters in the second contest

News & Notes

• GGC concludes the regular season with a 46-4 record; Fisher falls to 24-23 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• GGC has won 45 of the 46 all-time meetings against Fisher
• The team is taking an 11-game winning streak into postseason play

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is the top seed for the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Championship and will open the tournament against No. 4 seed Fisher College (Massachusetts) on Friday, May 2, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 1 p.m.