Georgia Gwinnett Rises to the Top in CAC Baseball Championship
Georgia Gwinnett College's 'Gold Standard' was on full display as the top-seeded Grizzlies, wearing their cherished gold-colored uniforms (reserved for championship-caliber events), captured the 2026 Continental Athletic Conference Championship tournament with a 2-1 victory over the No. 2 seed Westcliff University (California) 12-1 in Friday afternoon's title game in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
GGC (46-6), the nation's No. 3 ranked team, will now represent the CAC as it hosts one of the 10 Opening Round sites for this year's NAIA national tournament, starting May 11.
A two-run home run by left fielder Trey Smith broke open a close championship game. That gave the tournament hosts a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. They added three runs in the sixth inning and five more runs in the seventh frame, building a 12-0 lead before Westcliff scored its lone run in the top of the ninth.
Third baseman JJ Garcia paced the Grizzlies' offensive attack with a perfect 3-for-3 hitting performance, two RBI and three runs scored. Designated hitter Lance Bratlien added two hits and two runs scored, while six other players collected one hit apiece across the team's potent offensive lineup.
Those efforts were supported by starting left-handed pitcher Peyton Castellow, who allowed just four hits and no runs, with four strikeouts, over the first five innings. He improved his record to 7-0 for the season. Providing strong relief pitching performances were Fisher Smith (two strikeouts in two innings), Carson Judd (one inning) and Christian Johnson (one inning).
Third baseman Ryan Duron had two hits to lead Westcliff (27-22), which battled through the tournament's loser's bracket to make it to the championship game. They had late-inning heroics to get there. Here are the details:
No. 2 Westcliff Univesity 6, No. 3 Simpson University 5
Catcher Kolby Wagatsuma broke a 6-6 deadlock between the two California teams with a double to left field in the top of the seventh inning that scored shortstop Ben Carter. That slim margin would stand up and move the Warriors into the tournament's championship round.
Simpson challenged by getting pinch runners Shakespeare Taylor and Malachi Fuller into scoring position, with two outs, in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, Westcliff relief pitcher Brendon Demuth got a strike out to halt the threat.
The Red Hawks (21-23) managed to have another baserunner in the bottom of the ninth inning, but a diving catch by right fielder Nick Malvini sealed the victory.
Third baseman Ryan Duron went 4-for-5 and brought home two runs to lead Westcliff's 12-hit offensive attack. Wagatsuma and Carter had two hits apiece, with both having doubles and scoring a run.
Reliever Slater Theisen earned his seventh victory of the season, getting three strikeouts over 2.2 innings. Starting pitcher Chris Gonzalez also had three strikeouts over the first 4.2 innings on the mound.
Third baseman Brandon Zanni and right fielder Bo Valladao each had two hits for Simpson (26-26). One of Zanni's hits was a home run that scored two runs.
2026 Continental Athletic Conference Championship All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Player: Trey Smith, Georgia Gwinnett College
Shane Anderson, Georgia Gwinnett College
JJ Garcia, Georgia Gwinnett College
Grant Pohlman, Georgia Gwinnett College
Ryan Duron, Westcliff University
Nick Malvini, Westcliff University
Duke Aloy, Simpson University
Bo Valladao, Simpson University
Alejandro De Armas, Florida National University
James Snyder, Florida National University
Ty Vespe, Carolina University