March 26, 2014

Box Score

The sixth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team suffered its first road loss of the year in a back-and-forth 7-6 defeat to NCAA Division II North Georgia Wednesday night in Dahlonega.

Four defensive errors hurt the Grizzlies (30-5) as the Nighthawks (13-15) were able to connect for three unearned runs.

The teams traded leads throughout the first four innings and a three-run fourth for the Nighthawks proved to be the difference.

Sophomore Jereid Woods led GGC with a pair of hits and two RBIs.

The Grizzlies pushed across two runs in the top of the first, taking advantage of a two-out defensive error and using a Ty Abbott RBI double to build a 2-0 lead. The Nighthawks answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to push in front.

Robbie Payne briefly tied the game in the third inning with his first home run of the season, a solo shot that made it 3-3. North Georgia went ahead again with a score in the bottom of the frame.

GGC tied the game once more in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from Phillip Bates, but two defensive errors in the bottom of the inning led to two of North Georgia’s three runs in a two-out rally.

The Grizzlies trailed 7-4 entering the sixth inning, when a two-run single from Woods scored John Fidanza and Christian Van Camp to cut it to a one-run game. GGC was able to produce just one base hit over the final three innings, however, in falling 7-6.

Starter Tyler Carpenter (4-1) suffered the loss while Austin Smith, Ryan Turner and Zeke McGranahan combined for 4.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The Grizzlies fell to 6-1 on the road with the loss. GGC returns to Lawrenceville Friday for the first game in a three-game series with Emmanuel (Ga.) at 6 p.m.