Box Score

The Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team concluded the 2018 season in the semifinal round of the Avista-NAIA World Series, falling 11-7 to Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) Wednesday.

The Grizzlies maintained a No. 2 national ranking throughout the regular season, made their second trip to the Avista-NAIA World Series and recorded at least 50 wins for the fourth time in the program's six seasons.

GGC (50-12) jumped out to an early lead following an RBI single from junior Alex Garland that scored freshman Walter Coursey in the first inning. However, the lead was short-lived as the Lions answered two runs in the second inning.

The pivotal point of the game came in the fourth inning when No. 7-seeded Freed-Hardeman struck for four runs. De'Mikyle Holmes led off the frame with a home run. Two more runs touched home plate on a fielding error and an additional tally gave the team a 6-1 lead.

The Lions added two more runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to build a 10-2 lead.

GGC attempted a late comeback. In the eighth inning, a pair of sacrifice flies by junior C.J. Ballard and Coursey trimmed the deficit to 10-5. Garland delivered a two-run single later in the inning to bring the Grizzlies within three runs, 10-7.

However, Freed-Hardeman (47-15) added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to maintain the edge.

Turning Point

Freed-Hardeman stretched its lead to 5-1 when two runs scored on a fielding error. It was one of four errors the Grizzlies would commit in the game. GGC made four defensive errors in both of the games against Freed-Hardeman at the World Series – both losses.

Key Plays

Bottom of First

Alex Garland lined a run-scoring single to center field to score Walter Coursey for the first run of the game

 

Top of Second

Kaimana Ancog hit a run-scoring single to tie the contest

Joe Leatherwood grounded out to shortstop that scored Griffin Siebert to give Freed-Hardeman a 2-1 lead

 

Top of Fourth

De'Mikyle Holmes connected on a solo home run to give the Lions a 3-1 lead

A fielding error allowed two runs to score on the play

 

Bottom of Fifth

Jordan Tylski led the off the inning with a home run to bring the Grizzlies within six runs, 8-2

 

Bottom of Seventh

A run-scoring single by Walter Coursey brought home Jordan Tylski to cut the deficit to 10-3

 

Bottom of Eighth

Alex Garland hit a two-run single to bring the Grizzlies within three runs, 10-7

 

By The Numbers

• The Grizzlies collected nine hits in the contest
• De'Mikyle Holmes went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored for the Lions
• GGC made eight defensive errors in its two losses at the Avista-NAIA World Series
• Georgia Gwinnett College used six pitchers in the game

News & Notes

• Georgia Gwinnett College ends the 2018 season with a 50-12 record; Freed-Hardeman improves to 47-15
• Both of GGC's losses in the Avista-NAIA World Series came against Freed-Hardeman, 5-3 in the Grizzlies' first tournament game May 27 and 11-7 in the semifinal round
• GGC is 3-4 all time in games at the Avista-NAIA World Series
• The Grizzlies made their second appearance in the World Series; the team also advanced to Lewiston, Idaho, in 2014
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 2 in the final regular-season NAIA Top 25 poll; Freed-Hardeman was ranked No. 24 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll