The fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team split its first-ever meeting with No. 19 Northwestern Ohio on Saturday, winning game one 12-10 while being edged by the Racers 5-4 in game two.
Through 20 games, the Grizzlies are 15-5 on the season.
"Today was a great day of baseball," said GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "We played very well and both Tyler [Souris] and Nikolay [Uherek] gave us strong outings on the mound and worked deep into the ballgames. Each game is a continual preparation for post-season play, and I'm proud of the effort we are putting in and hope to see our growth continue each day."
While the Grizzlies won game one 12-10, the story of the day was during game two as GGC's Nikolay Uherek broke the Grizzlies' single-game strikeouts record with 13 strikeouts against the Racers. The record mark of 12 strikeouts in a game was previously held by Uherek and Trevor Bradley as both tallied 12 during the 2016 season.
In game one, right fielder Jean Figueroa also tied the single-game at-bats record with six plate appearances. Figueroa and 16 other Grizzlies have reached the mark in GGC's five seasons of competition.
In GGC's 12-10 victory, catcher Ryan Lark and second baseman Marcus McCorkle posted 3-for-5, two-RBI performances at the plate while Figueroa's 3-for-6, one-RBI showing helped guide the Grizzlies to the win.
GGC's game one starter Tyler Souris (4-0) picked up his fourth win in six appearances in 2017, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings of work. Northwestern Ohio's Andres Medina was credited with the loss as the left-hander surrendered six runs, including the go-ahead run in the fourth, in just 0.2 innings of work.
Game two against the Racers mirrored a prize-fight between two heavyweight contenders. Georgia Gwinnett punched first, scoring three runs in the first two innings of play. In the first, GGC took a 1-0 lead on a wild throw by UNOH's catcher DayFran Ortiz. Third baseman Deion Sellers stole third base, but Ortiz sailed the throw towards third to shallow left field, allowing Sellers to score. Three pitches later, left fielder Austin Alexander made it 2-0 with an RBI-triple to the right-center gap. Catcher Jean Paul Rodriguez pushed GGC's lead to 3-0 with an RBI-single to left in the second.
The Racers did not back down from the challenge and fought back, rallying to score three runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. An RBI-single by designated hitter Rafael Lozada made it 3-1 while a two-run single to left by third baseman Jose Paulino tied the game at 3-3.
Northwestern Ohio took its first lead in the top of the eighth with an RBI-single by left fielder Junior Gomez, but once again GGC battled back to tie the game in the bottom frame with an RBI-single up the middle by center fielder Rodney Tennie.
In the top of the ninth, GGC reliever Tanner Shelton faced bases-loaded with two outs and hit shortstop Jeff Cardenas in the back to give the Racers the 5-4 lead. The Grizzlies went down in 1-2-3 order in the bottom of the ninth as UNOH pulled out the 5-4 victory.
Shelton suffered the loss while UNOH's Abrahan Flete received the win. Reliever Jeff Rousseau, who came on in the ninth for the Racers, was credited with the save.
First pitch of Sunday's rubber game of the series against Northwestern Ohio is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The game will be broadcasted live on the Grizzly Digital Network with pregame coverage beginning at 12:45 p.m.
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.
