LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Senior Brandon Robinson connected on a two-run home run in the seventh inning to lift the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team to a 10-6 victory Saturday evening against the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Senior Day at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Grizzlies (39-10) scored seven runs over their final three offensive innings.

Senior Onassis Matos gave the home team a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly. Then, Robinson connected on his second home run of the season to extend the margin to 8-5.

Senior reliever Richard Triplet improved to 2-0 on the season and freshman Alec Kliphouse had two scoreless innings to tally his fifth save of 2019.

GGC had 15 hits in the game, led by three hits from sophomore leadoff hitter Cam Coursey. Senior C.J. Ballard added two hits and had four stolen bases. Seniors Brody Wofford and Brenton Burgess joined Robinson in each collecting two hits in the victory.

 

Coach’s Corner

“It was a special day, the final home series, to celebrate the players who have been a part of the program. We pitched well and it was a good competitive game. It was quite an experience to be in the dugout when Brandon hit the home run. It was great for him and the team,” said Head Coach Brad Stromdahl.

 

Turning Point

Seven seniors were on the field for the Grizzlies on Senior Day. However, it was a swing by the team’s senior designated hitter that changed the complexion of the contest. Brandon Robinson drilled a second-pitch fastball deep over the left field wall to score two of the three runs for GGC in the decisive seventh inning. That outburst came right after the visitors had tied the contest, 5-5, in the top of the seventh inning.

 

Key Plays

First Game

Bottom of First

Nick Barnes hit a RBI ground out to bring home C.J. Ballard

 

Bottom of Third

Cam Coursey tied the game, 2-2, with a run-scoring double

C.J. Ballard brought home Cam Coursey with a base hit

 

Bottom of Seventh

Onassis Matos hit a sacrifice fly to give the Grizzlies a 6-5 advantage

Brandon Robinson connected on a two-run home run

 

Inside The Numbers

  • The Grizzlies outhit the Sand Sharks by a 15-to-7 margin in the victory
  • Senior C.J. Ballard recorded four stolen bases
  • Freshman Alec Kliphouse picked up his fifth save of the season
  • Senior shortstop Brenton Burgess had four assists in the game

 

News & Notes

  • GGC improves to 39-10 on the season; USC Beaufort falls to 21-30 in 2019
  • Georgia Gwinnett College is No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll
  • Prior to Saturday’s game the program honored its 12 seniors during Senior Day festivities
  • The Grizzlies scored seven runs over the final three innings

 

Up Next

The two teams conclude the regular season with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. from the Grizzly Baseball Complex.