For the first time in the 2016 season, the top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team lost consecutive games as the Grizzlies were defeated 2-1 by No. 8 Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.) in a Top 10 battle Wednesday night.
"The guys are unbelievably disappointed for sure after tonight's loss," said GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "This team is a very mature team, and they have the desire to win in everything they do. I thought that we played really well in the back half of the game. Each day, we are preparing ourselves for postseason. Tonight was a good game and you have to tip your cap to them for their effort."
Georgia Gwinnett (42-4) collected one run on five hits in the contest, stranding 10 runners on the base paths.
Auburn-Montgomery (32-11) scored first, plating its first of two runs in the first inning of play. The Warhawks' leadoff hitter Brandon Pooler reached base safely on a GGC throwing error and later scored on a sacrifice fly to deep left by center fielder Dalton Kelley.
The Warhawks pushed their second run and final run of the contest over the plate in the top of the sixth with an RBI-single by left fielder Cody Rush, scoring first baseman Mac Seibert. Before scoring, Seibert reached on a standup triple to the right field corner.
The Grizzlies broke up the shutout in the bottom of the seventh when AUM's reliever Clark Gray hurled a wild pitch to the backstop, scoring Trumon Jefferson from third. Previously, Jefferson led off the inning with a pinch hit walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Trey Haygood, and then moved to third on a one-out grounder to second.
AUM's Jed Carter came on in the ninth and shut a GGC rally down to pick up the save and clinch the 2-1 Warhawk victory.
GGC starter Adam Clark (4-1) was credited with the loss, surrendering two runs, one unearned, on seven hits in six innings of work. AUM's Seth Arroyo (3-2) picked up his third win of the season, allowing just four hits in three and one-thirds innings.
The Grizzlies return to the diamond on Friday as they host NCAA Division III No. 5 Emory (Ga.) in a nine-inning contest. First pitch between the Eagles and Grizzlies is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.
Game Day Central
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