The second-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team used a six-run fifth inning to propel the Grizzlies to their 20th win of the season as GGC defeated Bryan (Tenn.) on Wednesday afternoon 8-3.
The Grizzly victory snaps Bryan's 16-game winning streak.
"Today was a complete team effort," said GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "Prior to the game, we refocused our team, and the immediate impact was seen on the field. We played sound defense, had timely hitting, and produced effective base-running. We look forward to a few days off before this weekend's series against St. Ambrose."
The Grizzlies (20-8) struck first in the bottom of the first inning as designated hitter Jean Figueroa ripped an RBI-double down the right field line, scoring center fielder Rodney Tennie for the 1-0 lead.
Bryan (21-6) tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third with an RBI-double by shortstop Kila Zuttermeister.
In the bottom of the fifth, Georgia Gwinnett rallied for six runs to take a 7-1 lead against the Lions. Shortstop Marcus McCorkle gave GGC the 3-1 lead with a two-run single to right-center while right fielder Kyler Timmerman made it 4-1 with an RBI-single to shallow center, scoring McCorkle. With the bases loaded, catcher Brady Shoppe increased the Grizzlies' gap to 5-1 with an RBI-single to shallow right field. Third baseman Angel Soto then walked with the bases still loaded, allowing Timmerman to score for the 6-1 Grizzly advantage. With two outs in the inning and all three bases occupied by Grizzlies, left fielder Chris Jones took off from third and slid across the plate as the pitch from Bryan's Ryan LaFever crossed the plate, stealing home for a 7-1 GGC lead.
The Lions battled back in the top of the seventh to score two runs, but once again, GGC responded in in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run by Timmerman, edging Bryan 8-3.
Reliever Stone Kelly, who received the save, recorded the final eight outs of the contest, guiding the Grizzlies to the 8-3 win.
GGC's starting pitcher Trevor Bradley (4-1) picked up the victory as he surrendered three runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out 10 Lions in 6.1 innings of work. Bryan's Austin Parrish was credited with the loss, allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits.
Next, the Grizzlies welcome St. Ambrose (Iowa) to Lawrenceville on Friday, March 17 for the first game of a three-game series. The three-game set will conclude on Saturday with doubleheader action beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The Grizzlies' Friday night contest against the Fighting Bees will be broadcasted live on the Grizzly Digital Network with pregame coverage beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Tickets for Friday's and Saturday's games are $5 for adults, $3 for youth, seniors, and military, and free for children under five each day. All members of the GGC community receive free admission with their Claw Card. Free game day parking is available in the deck at the entrance to the GGC campus. Georgia Gwinnett is a tobacco and pet free campus.
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