LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The nationally ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team will become familiar with the Edward Waters College Tigers over the course of the next two weekends, starting with a three-game series March 29-30 in Jacksonville, Fla.
The series begins with a single nine-inning game on Friday, March 29, at 5 p.m. before a doubleheader on Saturday, March 30, starting at 1 p.m.
Then, the two teams are scheduled to meet for a three-game series April 5-6 in Lawrenceville.
The Grizzlies, ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, collected a pair of wins at Reinhardt University on Wednesday. GGC takes a 25-8 record to Florida.
The team’s offense has collected a .316 batting average, with seven players having an average that’s .315 or higher. That list is led by sophomore infielder Cam Coursey, with a .414 average, 36 RBI and five triples. Junior Gabe Austin has hit a team-high five home runs and is hitting at a .351 clip, while senior C.J. Ballard leads the team with 37 runs scored.
Georgia Gwinnett College’s pitching staff has a 3.60 earned run average. Senior Gregory Loukinen is 6-1 with a 2.53 ERA. Senior Jonathan McKinney is the reigning Association of Independent Institutions’ Pitcher of the Week after tossing seven scoreless innings against No. 18 Lyon College (Ark.) last Saturday. Junior Hunter Caudelle has rounded out the weekend rotation with a 2-0 record and a 2.45 ERA.
MEET THE COACHES
Georgia Gwinnett College: Brad Stromdahl is in his seventh season leading the Grizzlies. He has compiled a 305-99 record in Lawrenceville and has guided the program to two Avista-NAIA World Series appearances. The Grizzlies have advanced to postseason play in all five seasons of eligibility under Stromdahl’s guidance.
Edward Waters: Reginald Johnson II is in his eighth season leading the Tigers to a 221-179-1 record. He has guided the program to winning seasons during six of his seven seasons as head coach.
WORTH THE WAIT
GGC’s first victory at Reinhardt on Wednesday came in the resumption of a suspended game from a Feb. 20 contest in Lawrenceville. Sophomore Nick Barnes hit a walk-off grand slam home run as the Grizzlies rallied from a three-run deficit in the ninth inning. GGC led 5-4 when the game resumed in the top of the eighth inning. The Eagles scored two runs in each of the eighth and ninth innings to take an 8-5 lead. That’s when Barnes had his pinch-hit homer for the 9-8 victory.
STRONG STARTING PITCHING
The Grizzlies have received strong starting pitching this season. GGC has received quality starts in six of its last seven games. Last weekend against No. 18 Lyon College (Ark.), the team’s three starting pitchers allowed one run over 21 innings.
WINNING SERIES
Georgia Gwinnett College has won six of its last seven series and will be seeking its first series victory away from the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The team has had series wins against No. 18 Lyon College (Ark.) and No. 19 Indiana Tech during the last two weekends.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Edward Waters stands 17-23 on the season and has won six of its last seven games. The Tigers won two of three games in a home series last weekend against Thomas University (Ga.). The Tigers have posted a 12-16 home record in 2019.
SERIES HISTORY
GGC defeated Edward Waters twice during the 2018 Association of Independent Institutions’ Baseball Championships at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. That’s the only two meetings between the two programs.
FOLLOW THE GRIZZLIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
GGCAthletics.com will be home for the latest news and information regarding the baseball season. Video broadcasts of all home games will be through the Grizzly Digital Network with Matt Mahony providing play-by-play commentary. Keep track of GGC Athletics through the following social media: Twitter (@GGCAthletics), Facebook (GGCAthletics) and Instagram (GGCAthletics).