The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored a pair of four-run triumphs in winning its first road games of the 2026 season, defeating the University of Mobile (Alabama) by 6-2 and 8-4 scores on Friday afternoon.

The Grizzlies (5-0) plated four runs in the top of the seventh inning to overcome a 3-2 deficit in the nightcap. The visitors broke through in a big way in the later innings. Freshman Vick Gann hit a game-tying RBI single through the right side of the infield. Junior first baseman Jackson Legg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the go-ahead run, at 4-3. Then, junior second baseman Payton Fort brought home a pair of runs with a single through the left side of the infield for a 6-3 lead in a nine-inning game.

Senior left-handed reliever Carson Judd struck out five batters across three strong middle innings to pick up the victory, his second of the season.

Junior pinch runner Chris Tillery successfully stole home during the eighth inning before Fort hit an RBI single one inning later to plate another insurance run as the team pulled away for its fifth straight victory to open the season.

In the series opener, Fort led off the game with a home run to right field. Then, GGC used a three-run fifth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock. Junior designated hitter Wilbert Espinal drove in two runs with a single up the middle, giving the visitors a 3-1 advantage. Junior outfielder Trey Smith collected a run-scoring to cap the productive frame.

Fort added a sacrifice fly during the sixth inning before junior third baseman JJ Garcia hit an RBI ground out in the seventh inning to plate the team's sixth run of the seven-inning contest.

Senior left hander Gavin LeBlanc scattered three hits across five innings in the starting assignment to improve to 2-0 on the season. Sophomore reliever Fisher Smith tossed two scoreless innings to secure his first save of the 2026 campaign.

Fort registered multiple-hit performances from the leadoff spot in GGC's lineup across the doubleheader sweep. Espinal and Smith tallied two hits apiece during Friday's opening game.
 
Coach's Corner
"I'm proud of the relentlessness shown by this group. It's always great to compete your way through wins and have teachable moments as well that keep this team moving in the right direction. Carson (Judd) attacking on the mound in relief gave us the momentum we needed to complete today's sweep," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 advantage during the second game. Freshman Vick Gann hit a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield to tie the contest at 3-3. Junior Jackson Legg was a hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home another run, at 4-3, and junior Payton Fort added two key insurance runs with a single.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of First
Payton Fort led off the game with a home run over the right field fence
 
Top of Fifth
Wilbert Espinal drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle, giving GGC a 3-1 lead
Trey Smith added a run-scoring single to plate Espinal
 
Top of Sixth
Payton Fort collected a sacrifice fly to score the team's fifth run of the contest
 
Top of Seventh
JJ Garcia hit an RBI ground out to third base
 
Second Game
Top of Fifth
Wilbert Espinal opened the scoring with an RBI double to left field
 
Top of Sixth
Jackson Legg drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the Grizzlies within a run, at 3-2
 
Top of Seventh
Vick Gann tied the contest with a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield
Jackson Legg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give GGC a 4-3 lead
Payton Fort drove in two runs with a single through the left side of the infield to cap a four-run frame
 
Top of Eighth
Chris Tillery successfully stole home
 
Top of Ninth
Peyton Watts lined an RBI double to left-center field that scored the team's eight run of the game
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC tallied 17 hits across both games of Friday's doubleheader sweep
• Junior Payton Fort went 4-for-9 and drove in four runs during the two games
• Senior left-handed reliever Carson Judd struck out five batters across three innings of the nightcap
• The Grizzlies successfully stole six bases during the second contest

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 5-0 this spring; Mobile drops to 1-5 on the season
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The team has won all its three meetings between the two teams
• Friday's doubleheader marked the team's first road games for the 2026 season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the four-game weekend set with another doubleheader against the University of Mobile on Saturday, February 7, in Mobile, Alabama, starting at 1 p.m.