The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team completed a four-game series sweep at the University of Mobile (Alabama) with two more strong late-inning victories on Saturday afternoon by 7-6 and 13-6 scores.

A fielding error with two outs from the Rams (1-7) allowed junior infielder JJ Garcia to score the eventual game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning of the seven-inning opening game. The Grizzlies (7-0) then plated six runs at the beginning and end of the nine-inning nightcap for the victory.

Junior outfielder Trey Smith gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with a run-scoring double in the third inning of the opener.

Mobile responded with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

GGC used a five-run sixth inning to regain the advantage behind clutch two-out hitting. Junior Payton Fort gave the visitors a 3-2 lead with a two-run single up the middle. Smith then cleared the bases with a double.

However, Mobile once again had an answer, also receiving a bases-clearing double during the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the contest at 6-6.

Garcia led off the top of the seventh inning with a double. He advanced to third base following a ground out from junior designated hitter Jay O'Neill. After a strikeout, junior first baseman Jackson Legg hit a ground ball that was misplayed by the Rams' middle infield. That allowed Garcia to score the eventual game-winning run.

Senior reliever Shane Anderson worked around three walks and got a game-ending double play, with a potential tying run at third base, to secure the one-run triumph.

"There were gritty performances by both teams today. Winning close games early shows that this group has the toughness we will need to stay on course throughout the season," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.

In the second contest, Legg connected on a three-run home run to cap a six-run first inning for GGC. Junior Peyton Watts legged out an RBI triple before Smith hit a run-scoring single up the middle.

Mobile pushed across four runs during its first two offensive innings to get within two runs, at 6-4. That margin would remain until Fort lined an RBI single up the middle in the top of the seventh inning. He later added a two-run single to right field to start a six-run ninth inning as the visitors sealed the series sweep.

"It was great to see the offense find barrels and take extra bases to put up two productive (six-run) innings. The bullpen also attacked their (Mobile) hitters," stated Goodale.

Smith went 3-for-3, with four RBI, in Saturday's first contest. Meanwhile, Fort and Watts collected two hits apiece at the top of GGC's batting order in the nightcap. Garcia had multiple hits in both games and Legg tallied two hits in the finale.
 
Coach's Corner
"For this team to come here and win four games the way we did shows that we have a strong team. The adversity we faced only will help us moving forward and keep playing competitive Grizzly baseball. I'm excited to attack practice with this group next week," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
After taking a 6-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning behind back-to-back run-producing base hits with two outs, the Grizzlies gave up four runs in the bottom half of the frame. However, the team had the final say in Saturday's first contest as a fielding error by the Rams allowed junior infielder JJ Garcia to score the eventual game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning. Then, GGC's defense got a key double play, with the eventual tying run at third base, for the final out of the game.
 
Key Plays
First Game
Top of Third
Trey Smith hit a run-scoring double to left field that brought home Chris Tillery and gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead
 
Top of Sixth
Payton Fort collected a two-run single with two outs
Trey Smith cleared the bases with a double to right field that gave GGC a 6-2 lead
 
Top of Seventh
A fielding error allowed JJ Garcia to score the eventual game-winning run at 7-6
 
Second Game
Peyton Watts legged out a run-scoring triple to right-center field to open the team's scoring
Trey Smith added a run-scoring single up the middle
Jackson Legg connected on a three-run home run to cap a six-run frame
 
Top of Seventh
Payton Fort lined an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 7-4
 
Top of Ninth
Payton Fort brought home a pair of runs with a single to right field
Peyton Watts followed with an RBI single to plate the team's 10th run of the contest
JJ Garcia added an RBI single that scored Trey Smith and cap another six-run inning
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC registered 20 hits across Saturday's doubleheader sweep
• Junior Trey Smith went 3-for-3, with four RBI, in the opener
• Five pitchers combined to tally eight strikeouts during the series finale
• The team successfully stole seven bases during Saturday's second contest

News & Notes

• GGC improves to 7-0 on the season; Mobile drops to 1-7 in 2025
• The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
• The team has won all five games against Mobile in the all-time series
• GGC scored six runs in the first and ninth innings of Saturday's series finale

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Crowley's Ridge College (Arkansas) and Point University (Georgia) on Friday, February 13, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 2 p.m.