Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team got production throughout its offensive lineup, including three of the four infield positions, and strong starting and relief pitching performances in scoring a 9-5 victory against Westcliff University (California) in Thursday's winner's bracket showdown in the Continental Athletic Conference Championship, taking place at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

GGC (45-6), the tournament's top seed and ranked No. 3 nationally, advances to play in the tournament's championship round on Friday, May 1. They will wait until 3 p.m. to play the winner of the loser's bracket finale between No. 2 seed Westcliff (26-21) and No. 4 seed Simpson University (26-25) in a game scheduled to start at 11 a.m. One more victory in the tournament will give the Grizzlies another conference title and a chance to represent the CAC in the Opening Round of the NAIA national tournament.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

For the second straight game, it took a little while for GGC's offense to put runs on the scoreboard, but it was quite effective once the scoring started. The team brought runs across the plate in five innings from the third through eighth frames.

A two-out triple to right field by junior second baseman Payton Fort brought home junior pinch runner Chris Tillery to give the team a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Another single run was scored in the fourth frame as junior third baseman JJ Garcia hit a single through the middle of the infield.

The offense really got humming in the top of the fifth inning following consecutive singles by junior first baseman Jackson Legg and freshman center fielder Vick Gann, two batters being hit by pitches, a wild pitch, and two walks – adding three runs for a 5-0 lead.

Three more runs were scored two innings later thanks to a two-run home run by senior catcher Grant Pohlman and a single by Fort that brought home Legg. An unearned run in the eighth frame gave the tournament hosts a commanding 9-0 lead.

However, Westcliff wouldn't go down without a fight. The Warriors responded by scoring five runs, closing the gap to 9-5, in the bottom of a wild eighth inning. That stretch featured three hits, including a double by Martin Sanchez, along with two walks, two wild pitches and a balk.

But the California team could get no closer.

Garcia and Legg each had three hits to lead GGC's 13-hit offensive attack, while Fort and Pohlman added two hits apiece. Those performances supported a standout starting pitching performance by senior left-hander Gavin LeBlanc, who didn't allow a hit and had three strikeouts across the opening three innings. He improved his record to 4-2 for the season. He was relieved by senior Caiden Johnson, who had a strong 4.2 innings with five strikeouts on the mound. Finally, junior Lance Bratlien came in to pitch a perfect ninth inning to seal the victory.
 
Coach's Corner
"It was a great start from Gavin (LeBlanc) and Caiden (Johnson) picked right up and attacked well for four innings. Offensively, I'm proud of the group for attacking during multiple innings. Overall, I'm excited that this group has earned the opportunity to wear championship gold uniforms (a program tradition) tomorrow," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
Senior left-hander Gavin LeBlanc posted a strong starting assignment, not allowing a hit and having two strikeouts across the first three innings. That performance was followed by strong relief outings by senior Caiden Johnson (five strikeouts in 4.2 innings) and junior Lance Bratlien (perfect ninth inning). The offense followed suit by scoring five runs from the third through fifth innings to give the team an early advantage.
 
Key Plays
Top of Third
Payton Fort's triple to right field scored pinch hitter Chris Tillery for the first run of the game
 
Top of Fourth
JJ Garcia singled up the middle of the field, bringing home Trey Smith, who opened the inning with a triple
 
Top of Fifth
Jackson Legg scored after Trey Smith was hit by a pitch in a bases-loaded situation
Vick Gann took advantage of a wild pitch to score another run
Payton Fort crossed home plate with the fifth run of the game after JJ Garcia walked with the bases loaded
 
Top of Seventh
A home run by Grant Pohlman scored Jay O'Neill, who had opened the inning with a triple
Payton Fort singled through the right side of the infield, scoring Jackson Legg as the team built an 8-0 lead
 
Top of Eighth
A sacrifice fly from Lance Bratlien brought home Trey Smith, giving the team a 9-0 advantage
 
Bottom of Eighth
Martin Sanchez's bases-loaded double scored Kailen Kimata, Brendon Alvarez and Carson Kawaguchi, closing the gap to 10-3
Martin Sanchez later came around to score following a wild pitch
Patrick Morgan scored on a balk for the team's fifth run of the game
 
Inside The Numbers 

• GGC outhit Westcliff by a 13-5 margin
• The Grizzlies' infield produced eight of the team's 13 hits, with junior JJ Garcia (third baseman) having three hits, junior Payton Fort (second baseman) having two, and junior Jackson Legg (first baseman) having three hits
• Besides his three hits, junior Jackson Legg scored two runs and had two stolen bases
• Senior left-handed starting pitcher Gavin LeBlanc had three shutout innings, didn't allow a hit and had two strikeouts

News & Notes 

• GGC improves to 45-6 in 2026; Westcliff falls to 26-21 this spring
• The Grizzlies are ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
• The team has a 25-3 record at the Grizzly Baseball Complex this season
• Georgia Gwinnett is seeking its seventh straight conference championship

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College advances to the championship round of the tournament, playing on Friday, May 1, at 3 p.m. The team's opponent will be determined by the outcome of the loser's bracket finale being contested between Westcliff University (California) and Simpson University (California), taking place at 11 a.m.