Match Up: No. 1 Faulkner (Ala.) vs. No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett
Game 1:  Faulkner 7 – Georgia Gwinnett 1
Game 2:  Saturday, March 25 – 3:00 p.m.
Game 3:  Saturday, March 25 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Grizzly Baseball Complex, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Game Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats | Twitter
Media Information:  2017 GGC Baseball Media Guide

Under the Friday night lights in Lawrenceville, the No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett baseball team dropped the opening contest of its three-game series of a Top 10 showdown, falling to No. 1 Faulkner (Ala.) 7-1.

"We made some mental errors today on the base paths and struggled to take advantage of opportunities when we were given them," said GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl.  "Tonight was a great game of baseball.  Both starting pitchers pitched well, and it was a great competition of two very good teams."

Faulkner (29-3) scored first in the top of the second on an RBI-double by first baseman Austin Paschke.  The Eagles pushed their advantage to 3-0 in the top of the third behind an RBI-single by center fielder John Price and a sacrifice fly to center by designated hitter T.J. Condon.

Georgia Gwinnett (23-9) plated its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the third on an RBI-single to shallow right field by designated hitter Jean Figueroa.



The Eagles would go on to score a run in the sixth on an RBI-double by second baseman Ryan Rosa, a run in the eighth on two Grizzly errors, and two final runs in the ninth on an RBI-single by right fielder Reid Long and a sacrifice fly by shortstop Oliver Basabe to pull out the 7-1 victory.

GGC's starting pitcher, Nikolay Uherek, work seven innings in the contest, striking out nine Eagles to bring his season strikeouts total to 70.  While he received the loss in the contest, Uherek allowed just four runs, three earned, on seven hits while surrendering just two walks in the contest.  Faulkner's Ivan Pelaez received the win, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out six in 8.1 innings of work.

Georgia Gwinnett and Faulkner will face off again on Saturday in doubleheader action.  First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 2:45 p.m. on the Grizzly Digital Network.

Both games of Saturday's doubleheader will be broadcasted live on the Grizzly Digital Network free of charge.

The Grizzlies will also host the Georgia Gwinnett Alumni Association on Saturday for its GGC Alumni Day.

Tickets for Saturday 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.  Season ticket packages are also on sale for all regular season contests.  For more information on ticketing, click here. Free game day parking is available in the deck at the entrance to the GGC campus.

For all the latest on Grizzly Athletics, including news, scores, and features, visit GrizzlyAthletics.com.  Check out all the latest Grizzly Athletics social media content via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and join the conversation by using #GGCAthletics.  Interact with the Grizzly baseball team directly via Twitter at @GGC_Baseball.