Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

The top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored eight runs in the sixth inning to pick up an 11-1 victory in seven innings against No. 5 seed Talladega College (Alabama) on Monday's first day of the NAIA Opening Round Lawrenceville Bracket at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (47-6) broke open a hotly contested 2-1 game by using small ball tactics. Back-to-back singles from junior right fielder Jay O'Neill and junior third baseman JJ Garcia opened the productive frame. The tournament hosts took a 4-1 lead after freshman center fielder Vick Gann was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

GGC added runs on bases-loaded walks to junior shortstop Peyton Watts and junior left fielder Trey Smith. Junior designated hitter Lance Bratlien then lined a two-run double to left-center field to stretch the team's lead to 8-1. O'Neill collected a sacrifice fly before Garcia lined an RBI double to cap GGC's decisive sixth inning.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

Senior starting pitcher Shane Anderson scattered three hits and struck out seven batters in tossing a complete game, improving his record to 8-0 for the season.

"Shane's performance sets us up going forward in the Opening Round. He is a competitor and a senior who stepped up in the right moment," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.

GGC advances into the tournament's winner's bracket and will play No. 2 seed Louisiana Christian University on Tuesday, May 12, starting at 3 p.m. The Wildcats hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat No. 3 seed Marian University (Indiana) 4-3 in the second of three first-day games played on Monday in Lawrenceville.

The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as junior first baseman Jackson Legg lined a run-scoring double off the right field fence.

Talladega (33-18) tied the contest, at 1-1, on an RBI ground out from Diego Duque in the top of the fourth inning. The Tornadoes got a 12-2 seven-inning victory against No. 4 seed University of Northwestern Ohio earlier in the day to face the Grizzlies in the nightcap.

GGC bounced back in the fifth inning, taking a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly from Smith.

Garcia went 2-for-3 to lead the team's seven-hit offensive attack. Watts legged out a triple and scored twice. Junior pinch runner Chris Tillery scored three runs in the triumph.
           
Coach's Corner
"The group showed its toughness and resolve tonight. The players showed up in the sixth inning and put together quality at-bat after quality at-bat. That's what it takes to win at this time of year. In a 2-1 game, it's usually the first team that blinks that finds a way to win. Jackson (Legg) and Vick (Gann) are unselfish players and have done a great job of taking ownership of their roles by producing offensively at the bottom of our lineup," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
The Grizzlies broke through in a big way during the sixth inning of Monday's NAIA Opening Round triumph, scoring eight runs to turn a close 2-1 game into a 10-1 advantage – with only four hits in the frame. The rally started with freshman center fielder Vick Gann being hit by pitches with the bases loaded and then two bases-loaded walks brought home additional runs.
 
Key Plays
Bottom of Second
Jackson Legg lined an RBI double off the wall in right field to score Chris Tillery from first base
 
Top of Fourth
Diego Duque hit an RBI ground out to first base, tying the game at 1-1
 
Bottom of Fifth
Trey Smith collected a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Peyton Watts, giving GGC a 2-1 lead
 
Bottom of Sixth
Jay O'Neill stole third base and later scored following a throwing error
Vick Gann was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
Peyton Watts drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the lead to 5-1
Trey Smith added another walk with the bases loaded
Lance Bratlien lined a two-run double to left-center field
Jay O'Neill hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field
JJ Garcia followed with an RBI double to plate the team's 10th run of the contest
 
Inside The Numbers 

• GGC outhit Talladega by a 7-3 margin
• Junior Chris Tillery scored three runs in the triumph
• The Grizzlies drew eight walks and were hit by a pitch five times on Monday
• Senior starting pitcher Shane Anderson struck out seven batters in tossing a complete game

News & Notes 

• GGC improves to 47-6 on the season; Talladega now stands 33-18 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett were ranked No. 3 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll
• The Grizzlies are the top seed in the Lawrenceville Bracket; Talladega is the No. 5 seed
• The Grizzlies are hosting an Opening Round for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play No. 2 seed Louisiana Christian University in a winner's bracket contest of the Lawrenceville Bracket on Tuesday, May 12, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 3 p.m.