MOBILE, Ala. – The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team continued its dominant start to the 2026 season, sweeping a doubleheader from the University of Mobile (Alabama) on Friday afternoon. The Grizzlies secured victories of 6-2 and 8-4, marking their first road wins and extending their overall record to a perfect 5-0.
The second game of the twinbill saw the Grizzlies overcome a 3-2 deficit with a decisive four-run outburst in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman Vick Gann ignited the rally with a game-tying RBI single through the right side of the infield. The momentum continued to build as junior first baseman Jackson Legg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, pushing the Grizzlies ahead 4-3. Junior second baseman Payton Fort then delivered a two-run single through the left side, extending the lead to 6-3.
Senior left-handed reliever Carson Judd was instrumental in preserving the lead, striking out five batters across three strong innings of relief to earn his second win of the season. The Grizzlies added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings, with junior pinch runner Chris Tillery successfully stealing home in the eighth and Fort adding another RBI single in the ninth, solidifying an 8-4 victory.
The series opener saw a quicker offensive start for Georgia Gwinnett. Fort led off the game with a home run to right field, setting an early tone. After a 1-1 tie, the Grizzlies broke the deadlock with a three-run fifth inning. Junior designated hitter Wilbert Espinal drove in two runs with a single up the middle, giving GGC a 3-1 advantage. Junior outfielder Trey Smith followed with a run-scoring single to cap the productive frame.
Fort continued to contribute, adding a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, and junior third baseman JJ Garcia hit an RBI ground out in the seventh, extending the lead to 6-2 in the seven-inning contest.
Senior left-hander Gavin LeBlanc delivered a strong performance on the mound in the opener, scattering three hits across five innings to improve his record to 2-0. Sophomore reliever Fisher Smith closed out the game with two scoreless innings, earning his first save of the season.
Fort was a consistent offensive force throughout the doubleheader, recording multiple-hit performances in both games and driving in four runs. Espinal and Smith also contributed with two hits apiece during the opening game of the series.
“I’m proud of the relentlessness shown by this group,” said Head Coach Tommy Goodale. “It’s always great to compete your way through wins and have teachable moments as well that keep this team moving in the right direction. Carson (Judd) attacking on the mound in relief gave us the momentum we needed to complete today’s sweep.”
The turning point in the second game came during the Grizzlies’ seventh-inning rally. Gann’s run-scoring single tied the game, and Legg’s hit-by-pitch and Fort’s subsequent single quickly turned the tide, giving GGC a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Key Plays from Friday’s Games:
- Game 1 – Top of First: Payton Fort led off the game with a home run over the right field fence.
- Game 1 – Top of Fifth: Wilbert Espinal drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle, giving GGC a 3-1 lead. Trey Smith added a run-scoring single to cap the frame.
- Game 1 – Top of Sixth: Payton Fort collected a sacrifice fly to score the team’s fifth run.
- Game 1 – Top of Seventh: JJ Garcia hit an RBI ground out to third base.
- Game 2 – Top of Fifth: Wilbert Espinal opened the scoring with an RBI double to left field.
- Game 2 – Top of Sixth: Jackson Legg drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the Grizzlies within a run, at 3-2.
- Game 2 – Top of Seventh: Vick Gann tied the contest with a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield. Jackson Legg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give GGC a 4-3 lead. Payton Fort drove in two runs with a single through the left side of the infield.
- Game 2 – Top of Eighth: Chris Tillery successfully stole home.
- Game 2 – Top of Ninth: Peyton Watts lined an RBI double to left-center field.
Inside The Numbers:
- GGC tallied 17 hits across both games of Friday’s doubleheader sweep.
- Payton Fort went 4-for-9 and drove in four runs during the two games.
- Carson Judd struck out five batters across three innings of the nightcap.
- The Grizzlies successfully stole six bases during the second contest.
News & Notes:
- GGC improves to 5-0 this spring; Mobile drops to 1-5 on the season.
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll.
- The team has won all three meetings between the two teams.
- Friday’s doubleheader marked the team’s first road games for the 2026 season.
Georgia Gwinnett College will conclude the four-game weekend series with another doubleheader against the University of Mobile on Saturday, February 7, in Mobile, Alabama, starting at 1 p.m.
