Behind the combined stellar pitching performances of Nikolay Uherek and Davis Adkins and timely hits at the plate by the Grizzly bats, Georgia Gwinnett's eighth-ranked baseball team continued its 10-game winning streak to start the 2016 season as they defeated No. 14 Tennessee Wesleyan this evening 5-1.
The game started out as a true pitchers' duel between Uherek and TWC's left-hander Ryan Hartman. Besides early jitters leading to a run by both teams in the opening inning of play, both starters brought their A-game to the mound. Uherek went 6.1 innings allowing five hits and one earned run while Hartman went five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out 10 Grizzlies.
Tennessee Wesleyan (1-3) jumped on the board first, scoring their lone run of the game on a two-out single to left by Marlor Villafana.
Georgia Gwinnett bounced back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1. With one out in the inning, catcher Brady Shoppe ripped a triple down the third base line. Two batters later, right fielder Kyler Timmerman pushed a seeing-eye single through the hole between short and third, scoring Trey Haygood, who came on as a courtesy runner for Shoppe.
Hartman was relieved for Diego Ibarra in the top of the sixth. Ibarra pitched a perfect sixth and seventh inning, but did not make it out of the eighth.
The Grizzly bats delivered a four-run inning that eventually led to the 5-1 victory. Shortstop William Paschal led the eighth off with a double to the left-center field wall then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by first baseman Brady Hamilton. With one out in the inning, second baseman Marcus McCorkle delivered the go-ahead run, launching a double over the head of the Bulldog left fielder.
The double by McCorkle ended Ibarra's day bringing on reliever Chris Washington for the Bulldogs. Washington jammed GGC left fielder Trumon Jefferson, who popped out to shallow center, for the second out of the inning. Pinch hitter Michael Hodorowski was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. With two outs in the inning, center fielder Josh Merrigan hit a routine fly ball to left field that TWC's Tevin Johnson misplayed, allowing McCorkle to score. With a 3-1 lead, Washington, once again, intentionally walked Timmerman, looking for a force out. Still with two outs in the inning, designated hitter Zac Rinehart hit a chopper up the middle scoring Hodorowski and Merrigan for the 5-1 advantage.
GGC's Adkins came on to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth to lead to the 5-1 win and 10th victory for the Grizzlies. Adkins (3-0) was credited with the win while TWC's Ibarra received the loss.
"Today was a grind," stated GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "Our pitchers did a great job on the mound and really carried the load. They allowed us to have an opportunity late to win the game. There are moments of growth and learning opportunities still that need to be addressed, and we'll take the time to do that tomorrow in preparation for this weekend's series in South Georgia."
Up next for the Grizzlies is a three game set with Brewton-Parker (Ga.). GGC will hit the road for the first time in February as they face the Barons in Mount Vernon. First pitch of the weekend opener is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m. with the series wrapping up with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.
No. 8 Georgia Gwinnett returns to the Grizzly Baseball Complex Friday, Feb. 26 as the Grizzlies host Lindenwood University-Belleville (Ill.) in doubleheader action. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.
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