The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored six runs across the first three innings in defeating Fisher College (Massachusetts) 8-3 Friday afternoon on a neutral field in Lexington, Kentucky, to begin the final weekend series of the regular season.

Junior right fielder Lance Bratlien drove in a pair of runs with a single in the first inning. He later added a run-scoring single as part of a three-run second inning. Junior left fielder Trey Smith drew a bases-loaded walk to begin the productive frame. Following Bratlien's base hit, junior third baseman JJ Garcia collected an RBI single to give GGC a 5-0 advantage.

One inning later, junior shortstop Peyton Watts hit a sacrifice fly to cap the early offensive production.

Smith connected on a two-run home run during the sixth inning as the lead grew to 8-2.

Meanwhile, senior starting pitcher Shane Anderson struck out five batters across five innings to improve his record to 6-0 on the season. Sophomore reliever Fisher Smith got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning by getting an inning-ending double play to keep the margin at five runs. The right-hander added a scoreless ninth inning to tally his third save of the season.

Trey Smith went 2-for-3, drove in three runs and scored twice to lead GGC's eight-hit offensive attack. Bratlien followed with two hits and three RBI. Garcia also added two hits in Friday's triumph.
 
Coach's Corner
"It was a good start from Shane (Anderson). I thought he attacked the (strike) zone with first-pitch strikes. I was proud with how the offense attacked the first three innings. Fisher (Smith) came in and got a big double play in a bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning. I am excited that we have an opportunity to attack the game tomorrow and take a step closer to becoming a more consistent version of ourselves," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies scored a run in each of their first three innings to build a commanding 6-0 lead. Junior right fielder Lance Bratlien played a big part in the early offense, collecting a two-run single in the opening frame. He later added an RBI single as part of a three-run second inning.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of First
Lance Bratlien drove in two runs with a single
 
Bottom of Second
Trey Smith drew a bases-loaded walk
Lance Bratlien hit a run-scoring single, extending the Grizzlies' lead to 4-0
JJ Garcia followed with an RBI single
 
Bottom of Third
Peyton Watts hit a sacrifice fly to right field
 
Bottom of Sixth
Trey Smith connected on a two-run home run to give GGC an 8-2 lead
 
Inside The Numbers 

• Fisher outhit the Grizzlies by an 11-8 margin
• Junior left fielder Trey Smith, right fielder Lance Bratlien and junior third baseman JJ Garcia each tallied two hits
• Four GGC pitchers combined to strike out nine batters
• The Grizzlies defense turned two double plays in the victory, one in a bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning

News & Notes 

• GGC improves to 41-6 in 2026; Fisher drops to 22-19 this spring
• The Grizzlies are ranked No. 2 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College and Fisher are members of the Continental Athletic Conference
• Friday's contest marked the first neutral-site contest of the season

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to conclude the regular season with a doubleheader against Fisher College (Massachusetts) on Saturday, April 25, in Lexington, Kentucky, starting at 10 a.m.