THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team split a road doubleheader Saturday at Thomas University (Ga.), winning the opener 6-5 before losing 12-6 in the nightcap.

The Grizzlies (15-6) took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning in the first contest following a home run by junior Gabe Austin. A two-run triple by sophomore Nick Barnes and a sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

Two home runs from Thomas would square the contest, 3-3, after three innings.

Leading 6-3, GGC held off a Night Hawks’ rally, when the hosts had scored two runs in the eighth inning and with the bases loaded threatened to tie or take the lead. However, junior relief pitcher Pedro Garcia got a strikeout to preserve the one-run advantage. Senior reliever Matthew Swain then tossed a scoreless ninth inning to collect his first save of the season.

In the second game, GGC got off to a fast start, with Barnes connecting on a two-run home run. The team’s advantage grew to 3-0 after five innings. However, Thomas (13-9) scored five runs in the seventh inning and got a grand slam from Jake Bryan in the eighth frame to take a 12-5 lead.

Senior starting pitcher Gregory Loukinen scattered six hits across 7.1 innings to pick up the win in the opener.

 

Turning Point

GGC was seeking to sweep the doubleheader and win its first road weekend series of the season, leading 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. However, the Night Hawks scored five runs in the inning to grab the lead against the Grizzlies’ bullpen. Jake Bryan’s grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning gave Thomas a commanding 12-5 lead.

 

Inside The Numbers

  • Thomas outhit GGC by one hit in each game
  • The Grizzlies recorded five extra-base hits in the doubleheader
  • Senior Brody Wofford had five putouts in center field in the first game
  • GGC pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts between the two games

 

News & Notes

  • GGC stands 15-6 on the season; Thomas is 13-9 in 2019
  • Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 4 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll
  • This was the first road series of the season for GGC
  • The series is now tied at four wins apiece; Thomas has won both of the series played in Thomasville

 

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College remains on the road, playing at No. 14 Bryan College (Tenn.) on Tuesday, March 12, at 3 p.m. in Dayton, Tenn.