Georgia Gwinnett's eighth-ranked baseball team keeps finding a way to win as the Grizzlies swept Madonna (Mich.) in doubleheader action on Friday to reach their 25th consecutive win of 2016.
In game one, the Grizzlies edged the Crusaders, 3-2, and then held on to an early advantage to take game two, 5-4.
"Nikolay [Uherek] and Will [Solomon] did a great job on the mound for us today working deep into the game," stated GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "Trey [Haygood] made some really clutch plays for us tonight, especially the diving catch to secure game one's win."
The opening game of Friday's doubleheader was dominated by a superb pitching performance by Uherek. The right-hander tossed seven and one-third innings of work, allowing just four hits and an unearned run. Uherek pitched seven innings of shutout ball until he was relieved in the eighth.
Georgia Gwinnett plated all three of its runs in the bottom of the fourth. Left fielder Trumon Jefferson's sacrifice fly pushed the first Grizzly run across the plate while a Crusader error and an RBI-single by catcher Brady Shoppe led to the 3-0 GGC advantage.
Madonna attempted a rally in the eighth and ninth to pull within one, 3-2, but reliever Tyler Souris shut the Crusaders down for the 24th Grizzly victory of the season. With two outs in the top of the ninth and the tying run on second base, Haygood robbed a shot into the right-center field gap with a diving grab for the game's final out to give GGC the win.
In game two, the Grizzlies scored first in the bottom of the first inning when Josh Merrigan ripped an RBI-single to left to score Haygood.
While the Crusaders garnered a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, the Grizzlies struck back to score four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the 5-2 lead. A two-run single by designated hitter Zac Rinehart gave the Grizzlies the 3-2 lead. Two batters later, shortstop Trevor Bradley lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center to score Rinehart from third. With two outs in the inning, the Grizzlies extended their lead to 5-2 on a passed ball.
After Madonna's two-run third inning, GGC's pitching staff held the Crusaders scoreless until the eighth. Madonna rallied to get within one, 5-4, on a Grizzly error and RBI-single by Jimmy White.
Solomon picked up his fifth win of the season, striking out six batters and surrendering two runs on five hits in seven innings of work. Davis Adkins collected his fourth save of the season while Madonna's DeYonker was credited with the loss.
Stromdahl continued, "It's been a great run thus far, and baseball is a funny sport where sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't. Fortunately, we have had guys compete on the mound, make plays defensively, and have timely hits at the plate. Madonna is a great ball team, and we're very fortunate to have picked up two wins today."
The Grizzlies return to action on Saturday as they will wrap up their four-game series against Madonna starting at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets for Saturday's game are $5 for adults, $3 for youth, seniors, and military, and free for children under five. All members of the GGC community receive free admission with their Claw Card. For more information on ticketing, click here. Free game day parking is available in the deck at the entrance to the GGC campus.
Game Day Central
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