The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team could not overcome allowing a pair of six-run innings in dropping a 16-6 contest Thursday afternoon to Southeastern University (Florida) and concluding a spectacular 2025 season with a semifinal finish at the Avista NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.

The Grizzlies (56-7) have advanced to the semifinal round in four of their eight World Series trips, winning the national title in 2021.

GGC jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead following an RBI ground out from senior Scott Seeker in the top of the first inning. Senior Jon Ponder scored following a wild pitch earlier in the frame.

Southeastern (47-14) answered in the bottom half as Connor Hicks connected on a two-run home run over the left field fence to square the contest at 2-2.

Then, the Fire got the first of their two six-run innings to grab the lead for good. Charlie Collins hit a two-run single before James Strom added an infield RBI single, giving the No. 6 seed a 6-2 lead. A throwing error led to two additional runs.

The Grizzlies threatened in the top of the fifth inning as a safety squeeze bunt from senior Kyle Norton brought GGC within four runs, at 8-4. Senior Braxton Meguiar added a two-run single up the middle. The run producing base hit drove in the second baseman's 210th run of his career to set a program career record.

The Fire regained control of the contest by pushing across a single run with two outs in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Then, the Florida team plated six additional runs to advance further in the World Series bracket.

Senior Matthew Lee collected two hits and defensively threw out two potential opposing base stealers, picked off another base runner and tagged out a runner at the plate. Ponder also registered two hits in the contest.
 
Coach's Corner
"I am forever indebted to this team's commitment to the G-Claw along with the hard work and character of this year's senior class. They taught the coaches, I hope we gave the same lessons back to them. It was a special group, a special season and a season full of special people," said Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger.
 
Turning Point
Southeastern used a pair of six-run frames to eliminate the Grizzlies from the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series. With the game tied at 2-2, the Fire plated six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take an 8-2 lead. Then, the Florida team closed out the game with a six-run seventh inning to take a commanding advantage.
 
Key Plays
Top of First
A wild pitch allows Jon Ponder to score the first run of the contest
Scott Seeker hit an RBI ground out to second base, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead
 
Bottom of First
Connor Hicks connected on a two-run homer to left field, tying the game at 2-2
 
Bottom of Fourth
A wild pitch allowed the Fire to take a 3-2 lead
Charlie Collins tallied a two-run single to left field
James Strom followed with an infield RBI single, giving the Fire a 6-2 lead
A throwing error allowed for two additional runs to score
 
Top of Fifth
Paul Winland Jr. scored following a wild pitch
Kyle Norton perfectly executed a safety squeeze bunt, scoring Joe Quelch to trim the deficit to 8-4
Braxton Meguiar drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle
 
Bottom of Seventh
David Castillo added a run-scoring single to give the Fire an 11-6 lead
Nick Streuer followed with a two-run RBI single to left field
Tyler Hinrikus legged out a double to score a pair of runs
 
Inside The Numbers

• Southeastern outhit the Grizzlies by a 20-7 margin
• The Fire collected three doubles and a home run in the victory
• Senior Braxton Meguiar set the program's career RBI record with a two-run single during the fifth inning, giving him 210 RBI in his four-year career
• Senior catcher Matthew Lee collected two hits and threw out two runners while picking off another base runner on Thursday

News & Notes

• GGC concluded the 2025 season with 56-7 record; Southeastern improves to 47-14 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the final regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Southeastern stood No. 6 in the same poll
• The team was the No. 2 seed in the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series bracket; Southeastern stood as the No. 6 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College has an 8-7 lead in its series with the Fire