The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored three unanswered runs in the opener to rally past No. 1 Faulkner University as the two teams split Saturday's doubleheader. The Grizzlies earned a 9-8 victory in the first game before dropping a 13-2 game in the nightcap.

Faulkner (33-3) took two of the three games in the weekend series after a victory in Friday's opener.

GGC (26-7) scored a run in the seventh and pushed across two runs in the eighth inning to win the first game on Saturday. An infield single by freshman Walter Coursey scored senior Tony Salvaggio from second base in the seventh inning.

One inning later, a balk allowed junior Alex Garland to square the contest at 8-8. A sacrifice fly from Salvaggio gave the visitors the lead for good.

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.

GGC became the first opponent to earn a victory on the Falcons' field this season, after 20 home triumphs. The victory also ended Faulkner's 10-game winning streak.

In the second game, Faulkner scored five runs in the fourth inning to break open a scoreless contest. A pair of run-scoring singles by Coursey and senior Marcus McCorkle in the fifth inning brought the Grizzlies to within three runs, 5-2. But, the Eagles answered with eight straight runs to record the victory.

Turning Point

In Saturday's opener, 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 stands 26-7 on the season; Faulkner is to 33-3
• 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 in Saturday's opener was the first setback for the Eagles in 21 home games this spring

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Bethel University (Tenn.) for a nine-inning game Tuesday, April 3, starting at 5 p.m.