March 1, 2013

USCB 12, GGC 3

The Georgia Gwinnett baseball team struck early but dropped a 12-3 decision at USC Beaufort on Friday in the teams’ series opener in Hardeeville, S.C.

The Grizzlies pushed a run across in the top of the first inning and two more in the fourth but the Sand Sharks recorded the final eight runs of the game.

The loss drops GGC to 8-4 on the year while USCB, who reached the NAIA World Series a year ago and stands at No. 21 in the preseason rankings, improves to 7-9.

Junior Andrew Prater led the Grizzlies with a pair of hits while RBI leader Pat Long drove in a run.

Left-hander Drew Riley (3-1) suffered his first defeat of the season, allowing five earned runs with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings.

Five defensive errors hurt the Grizzlies on the afternoon as USCB pushed across four early unearned runs.

Billy Best and Sloan Strickland drove in runs for GGC in the losing effort.

The series continues Saturday with two seven-inning games, beginning at noon.