The eighth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team dropped its "Friday Night Lights" contest to NCAA Division II foe Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) on April 14, losing the nine-inning ball game 8-4.
Georgia Gwinnett (30-16) drew within one run, 5-4, in the bottom of the eight, but the Warhawks (20-20) responded with three insurances runs in the top of the ninth to cling to their four-run lead, 8-4, securing a victory over the Grizzlies.
With the loss, Georgia Gwinnett is now 0-2 against AUM in the all-time series.
"We struggled to get runs in today, leaving six runners in scoring position throughout the game," said GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl. "Michael [Mayuski] did a superb job in relief, shutting down a one-out, bases loaded situation without surrendering a run. We are still growing, and each day prepares us for the conference tournament in May."
Auburn Montgomery carried a 2-0 lead after two innings at the plate, using an RBI-single through the left side of the infield by designated hitter John-Mark Cosby in the first and a wild pitch by GGC starting pitcher Nikolay Uherek in the second to score its first two runs of the game.
The Grizzlies cut the Warhawk lead in half, 2-1, in the bottom of the second with an RBI-single by junior catcher Brady Shoppe. Three innings later, Georgia Gwinnett tied the game at 2-2 with an infield chopper to second by right fielder Jean Figueroa.
In the top of the sixth, AUM rallied with three runs to take its second lead of the game at 5-2. A two-run triple by shortstop Nathan Langley and an RBI-single by right fielder Tanner Russell plated all three Warhawks in the inning.
Two innings later, Georgia Gwinnett responded with a two-run single up the middle by shortstop Marcus McCorkle to bring the Grizzlies within one, 5-4, but a three-run rally in the top of the ninth by the Warhawks cemented AUM's 8-4 victory the Grizzlies.
AUM starting pitcher Chase Johnson (5-4) received the win, allowing four runs on 10 hits while collecting five strikeouts. GGC's Uherek (3-6) was credited with the loss, surrendering five runs on nine hits, while Warhawk closer Hank Scott picked up the save.
Of note, Mayuski gave GGC 1.2 innings of shutout relief, getting the Grizzlies out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam without further damage occurring in the seventh.
Georgia Gwinnett returns to action on Saturday as the Grizzlies host Auburn Montgomery in their second of four meetings in 2017. The Grizzlies will face AUM again on April 21 and 22 in Montgomery.
On Saturday, GGC Athletics will host Military Appreciation Day. The Grizzlies invite all military personnel and their guests to attend the 3:00 p.m. contest free of charge.
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