DAYTON, Tenn. – Escaping a bases-loaded defensive jam and scoring runs in three consecutive innings paved the way for the No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to score a 6-1 win Tuesday afternoon at No. 14 Bryan College (Tenn.) – the Grizzlies’ first game outside Georgia.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, junior starting pitcher Pedro Garcia navigated through a bases-loaded situation. He inducing a ground ball for the third out of the inning.
Meanwhile, GGC (16-6) took advantage of its scoring opportunities, adding a run in the sixth and seventh innings to grab a 4-1 lead. Then, the team added two more runs in the eighth inning to break the contest open.
Garcia allowed two hits and struck out six batters in five innings to pick up the victory on the mound. Senior Richard Triplet tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief before freshman Alec Kliphouse got the save with 2.1 innings of no-hit pitching.
Offensively, senior Brody Wofford went 3-for-3, scored a pair of runs and had two RBI. He connected on a solo home run in the fifth inning to give GGC a 2-0 lead. A run-scoring single from sophomore Cam Coursey put the visitors on the scoreboard in the third inning. Junior Gabe Austin collected a run-scoring double in the sixth inning.
Coach’s Corner
“We had a great starting pitching performance by Pedro Garcia, followed by Richard Triplet and Alec Kliphouse out of the bullpen. We did a good job of keeping our composure and staying with what we were trying to do to get a victory against a very good Bryan team,” said Head Coach Brad Stromdahl.
Turning Point
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, GGC junior Pedro Garcia got out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the visitors ahead. The right hander got Jacob Justice to hit a fielder’s choice to end the threat. The Grizzlies would score one run in each of the sixth and seventh innings before adding two runs in the eighth inning to pick up the victory.
Key Plays
Top of Third
Cam Coursey hit a run-scoring single to right field that brought home C.J. Ballard for the first run of the contest
Top of Fifth
Brody Wofford connected on a solo home run to stretch the lead to 2-0
Bottom of Fifth
A throwing error on a steal attempt brought home a run for the Lions
Pedro Garcia got a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded to help the Grizzlies maintain a 2-1 lead
Top of Sixth
Gabe Austin gave the visitors a 3-1 advantage with a RBI double
Top of Seventh
A wild pitch allowed Brody Wofford to score
Top of Eighth
GGC scored on back-to-back walks with the bases loaded
Inside The Numbers
- GGC outhit Bryan by a 7-to-4 margin in the contest
- The Grizzlies’ hitters drew 10 walks
- Junior starting pitcher Pedro Garcia recorded six of the team’s 10 strikeouts
- Bryan used seven pitchers in the midweek game
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 16-6 on the season; Bryan falls to 16-7 this spring
- Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 4 in the first regular season NAIA Top 25 poll; Bryan stood No. 14
- Tuesday’s game marked the first contest for GGC outside Georgia
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College returns home to begin a three-game series against No. 19 Indiana Tech on Friday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.