Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) scored five times in the top of the eighth inning to rally past the Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team 9-5 on Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (40-6) concluded the home portion of their regular season schedule with a 29-3 record.

The Pioneers (23-21), winners of four straight games, took advantage of two GGC defensive errors to spark the comeback. Trailing 5-4, the visitors were able to put runners on third and first bases due to GGC's first defensive miscue. Then, a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt brought home Jarian Pickney to tie the contest.

Kohen Bridges then lined a two-run single to center field to give Spartanburg Methodist its first lead of the contest, at 7-5. A few batters later, Blake Exizian hit a double down the right field line that scored the team's final two runs.

GGC used a three-run second inning to build a 4-1 advantage. Freshman center fielder Vick Gann hit an infield RBI single that gave the hosts a 2-1 lead. Junior second baseman Payton Fort added an RBI ground out and junior left fielder Trey Smith lined a run-scoring single to center field to cap the productive inning.

Spartanburg Methodist would eventually tie the game at 4-4 as Elijah Franz hit a run-scoring single to left field before Exizian added an RBI double as part of a two-run third inning. Tanner Martiner hit a ground-rule double to center field during the fifth inning.

Fort gave the Grizzlies a 5-4 advantage by scoring following a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Pioneers outhit GGC by a 10-9 margin. Junior shortstop Peyton Watts and Fort led the host's charge with two hits apiece.
 
Coach's Corner
"I've got to get the guys better prepared. I thought we were pretty good offensively, with some line drives that were hit right at their defensive players. We have got to get better before we start the conference tournament next week (starting April 29)," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
Spartanburg Methodist took advantage of two GGC defensive errors to score five unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning for a 9-5 lead. Kohen Bridges lined a two-run single to center field to give Spartanburg Methodist its first lead of the contest, at 7-5. A few batters later, Blake Exizian hit a two-run double down the right field line.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Lance Bratlien lined an RBI single to right field
 
Top of Second
Lance Schrader connected on a solo home run down the left field line
 
Bottom of Second
Vick Gann hit an infield RBI single, giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead
Payton Fort collected an RBI ground out
Trey Smith added a run-scoring single to cap a three-run frame
 
Bottom of Third
Elijah Franz hit a run-scoring single to left field
Blake Exizian registered an RBI double down the right field line
 
Bottom of Fifth
Tanner Martin hit a ground-rule double to center field, tying the contest at 4-4
 
Bottom of Sixth
Payton Fort scored following a wild pitch
 
Top of Eighth
A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt allowed Jarian Pickney to score the tying run, at 5-5
Kohen Bridges lined a two-run single to center field
Blake Exizian hit a two-run double down the right field line, giving the Pioneers a 9-5 lead
 
Inside The Numbers 

• Spartanburg Methodist outhit the Grizzlies by a 10-9 margin
• Junior second baseman Payton Fort tallied two hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot in the batting order
• Five GGC pitchers combined to record 11 strikeouts
• GGC hitters drew six walks and left 10 base runners during the midweek contest

News & Notes 

• GGC drops to 40-6 this spring; Spartanburg Methodist improves to 23-21 on the season
• The Grizzlies are ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College now leads the all-time series 8-1 against Spartanburg Methodist
• Tuesday's contest marked the final home and midweek contest of the regular season

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to face Fisher College (Massachusetts) on Friday, April 24, in Lexington, Kentucky, starting at 1:30 p.m.