Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

The No. 2-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough in a 14-13 loss to No. 9 seed Indiana University Southeast on Friday's opening day of the Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.

The Grizzlies (49-7) trailed 14-9 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Junior third baseman JJ Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the first tally of the frame. Then, junior designated hitter Lance Bratlien followed with a run-scoring ground out and junior pinch hitter Ashton Fuselier connected on a two-run homer to left field that trimmed the deficit to a one-run margin, at 14-13.

The team threatened even further as junior first baseman Jackson Legg lined a single with two outs. However, IU Southeast reliever Luca Sandrella got a strikeout to preserve the one-run triumph in the high-scoring affair.

Friday's setback has the Grizzlies playing an elimination round game on Saturday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. pacific time against No. 3 seed Lewis-Clark State.

The Grenadiers (43-14) turned an 8-6 deficit into a 10-8 advantage behind the effort of two home-run swings.

Bryson Arnette connected on a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. That came after Kasen Parks had hit a solo home run an inning earlier.

GGC's offense ignited with two home runs in the opening three innings to build an early advantage.

Garcia connected on a two-run home run over the right-center field fence to cap a three-run opening frame. Junior designated hitter Lance Bratlien crushed a grand slam to deep center field as part of a five-run third inning that gave the Grizzlies the 8-6 advantage.

After falling behind once again, Georgia Gwinnett got within a run, at 10-9, following a sacrifice fly from freshman center fielder Vick Gann in the bottom of the sixth inning. The team then threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning as junior pinch runner Chris Tillery advanced to third base with one out. However, Sandrella got Gann and junior second baseman Payton Fort to hit successive fly outs to end the threat.

Indiana Southeast added key insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning as Chance Bentley hit a grand slam to left-center field that built a 14-9 lead.

Garcia paced GGC's 13-hit offensive attack by going 3-for-4 and driving in four runs. Junior shortstop Peyton Watts tallied three hits and scored three times. Junior left fielder Trey Smith and Legg each tallied two hits.
 
Coach's Corner
"We didn't come out and play our brand of baseball. We battled back, but it is not a consolation prize. We didn't throw the pitches we needed at times (10 walks) and didn't play clean defense (four errors). The momentum we got from tonight's ninth inning will be big for us going into tomorrow (Saturday's elimination round game)," said Head Coach Tommy Goodale.
 
Turning Point
Indiana Southeast hit three home runs after the fifth inning to rally from an 8-6 deficit to score 14 runs. Bryson Arnette connected on a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. Chance Bentley then smashed a grand slam to left-center field in the ninth inning to take a 14-9 lead.
 
Key Plays
Top of First
Bryson Arnette hit an RBI single to center field to open the scoring
Chance Bentley added a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield
Gabe Yonto collected an RBI ground out to first base
 
Bottom of First
Trey Smith hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Peyton Watts
JJ Garcia connected on a two-run home run to right-center field, bringing the Grizzlies within a 4-3 deficit
 
Bottom of Third
JJ Garcia tallied an infield RBI single, scoring Peyton Watts
Lance Bratlien crushed a grand slam to center field, giving GGC an 8-6 lead
 
Top of Fifth
Kasen Parks hit a solo home run to left field
 
Top of Sixth
Bryson Arnette connected on a three-run homer giving Indiana Southeast a 10-8 lead
 
Bottom of Sixth
Vick Gann hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Jackson Legg
 
Top of Ninth
Chance Bentley connected on a grand slam giving the Grenadiers a 14-9 lead
 
Bottom of Ninth
JJ Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to center field
Lance Bratlien added an RBI ground out
Ashton Fuselier came off the bench to connect on a two-run home run, trimming the deficit to 14-13
 
Inside The Numbers 

• Both teams registered 13 hits in the contest
• Both teams hit three home runs during Friday's World Series opener
• Junior third baseman JJ Garcia went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs
• Indiana Southeast stranded 12 base runners

News & Notes 

• GGC falls to 49-7 on the season; Indiana Southeast improves to 43-14 this spring
• Georgia Gwinnett is making its eighth straight appearance at the NAIA World Series
• The Grizzlies are the No. 2 seed in the World Series bracket; Indiana Southeast stood as the No. 9 seed
• Georgia Gwinnett College is 5-4 in its World Series openers

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play an elimination contest against No. 3 seed Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) on Saturday, May 23, from Lewiston, Idaho, starting at 6:30 p.m. pacific time.