When the going got tough for the No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team, the Grizzlies got going to defeat No. 1-ranked Faulkner University 9-8 in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader – squaring the weekend's three-game series.

GGC (26-6) scored a run in the seventh and pushed across two more runs in the eighth inning to become the first opponent to be victorious on Faulkner's home turf this season. It also broke the Falcons' 10-game winning streak.

After trailing 8-6, Georgia Gwinnett College got back into the game on a single by freshman Walter Coursey that brought home senior Tony Salvaggio, who hustled to score from second base with two outs.

One inning later, GGC gained the lead for good when junior Alex Garland scored on a balk. Then, a sacrifice fly from Salvaggio scored junior Brandon Frazier to give the visitors the decisive 9-8 lead.

Faulkner left two base runners in scoring position in the eighth and ninth innings. Reliever Cole Uvila got a groundout to second base in the bottom of the ninth inning to seal the victory. Junior Tucker Plouffe picked up the victory following a relief pitching appearance.

The Grizzlies had taken a 6-1 lead in the fourth inning, but Faulkner (32-3) tied the contest behind a five-run inning. A two-run home run in the fifth gave the Eagles the 8-6 advantage.

Turning Point

Georgia Gwinnett College began the late-inning surge with a key run in the seventh inning. It was a hustle play as senior Tony Salvaggio scored all the way from second base on an infield single by freshman Walter Coursey. The Grizzlies used the momentum to score two runs one inning later to earn the victory.

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College improves to 26-6 on the season; Faulkner falls to 32-3
• GGC is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Top 25 poll; Faulkner is No. 1 after being a runner-up in last year's NAIA national championship
• The loss was the first setback for the Eagles in 21 home games this spring

Up Next

The series continues Saturday evening, March 31, with Georgia Gwinnett College and Faulkner University playing the second game of the doubleheader