Junior Alex Harrell hit for the cycle as the No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team opened April with a convincing 14-7 victory over Blue Mountain Christian University (Mississippi) in Friday night's series opener at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The victory extended the team's 11-game winning streak.

Harrell lined a run-scoring triple in the first inning before connecting on a two-run home run as part of a six-run third inning. The right fielder then collected singles in the fourth and sixth innings before collecting a double that brought home another run in the eighth inning. He went 5-for-5 and became the fifth Grizzly to achieve the cycle in a contest in program history.

"Alex is seeing the ball at the plate really well right now and is consistent in his hitting approach. That consistency is the biggest piece to his recent success, and he's being rewarded for the offensive-minded approach he's taking to the plate," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.

Senior Scott Seeker hit a sacrifice fly to left field that gave the hosts a quick 2-0 advantage.

GGC (31-3) broke the game open in the third inning. After Harrell's homer, senior Paul Winland Jr. successfully stole home for the team's sixth run of the contest. Senior Joe Quelch brought home a pair of runs with a safety squeeze bunt.

Later, Seeker collected a two-run single through the left side of the infield as the team's advantage grew to 13-5 during the eighth inning.

Senior Jackson Cobb registered three hits and scored two runs, while seniors Jon Ponder and Braxton Meguiar each tallied two hits from the top of the host's batting order.

Meanwhile, senior starting pitcher Anthony Patterson III scattered three hits and struck out four batters across four innings after starting the game. Senior reliever Wyatt Dodgens tossed three innings to pick up the victory. Junior Andrew Johnson tossed the final two innings to secure the series-opening triumph.


 
Coach's Corner
"We've got a great team that has to stay committed to who we are and why we do what we do. The players accept the challenge of each game and go out and play our brand of baseball. That's how big innings happen," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies did a little bit of everything in scoring six runs during the third inning. Junior Alex Harrell hit a two-run home run over the left-center field fence. Senior Paul Winland Jr. successfully stole home and senior Matthew Lee took second base after drawing a walk. Junior Tyler M. Martin also stretched an infield base hit to reach second base. Senior Joe Quelch brought home two runs on a safety squeeze bunt. All of these elements produced an 8-1 lead for GGC in the weekend series opener.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Alex Harrell lined an RBI triple to right field that brought home Braxton Meguiar
Scott Seeker followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, giving GGC an early 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of Third
Alex Harrell connected on a two-run home run to left-center field
Jackson Cobb scored following a throwing error from Paul Winland Jr.'s single
Paul Winland Jr. successfully stole home on a double steal attempt as GGC's lead grew to 6-1
Joe Quelch brought home a pair of runs with a safety squeeze bunt
 
Bottom of Sixth
Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI ground out to second base that scored Jon Ponder for the team's ninth run
 
Bottom of Seventh
Paul Winland Jr. collected an RBI ground out to extend the team's lead to 10-5
 
Bottom of Eighth
Alex Harrell legged out a double to complete the cycle-hitting offensive performance
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies outhit Blue Mountain Christian by a 16-8 margin
• GGC recorded four extra-base hits in the victory
• Junior Alex Harrell went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle on Friday
• GGC's defense turned three double plays, including efforts that ended the fourth and seventh innings

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 31-3 on the season; Blue Mountain Christian drops to 19-17 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team has now won three of the four meetings with the Toppers
• Georgia Gwinnett College has won 11 straight games

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Blue Mountain Christian University (Mississippi) again on Saturday, April 5, with a doubleheader at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 1 p.m. The baseball program is planning to host Senior Day festivities for this year's 18 seniors, beginning at 12:40 p.m.