(By IU Southeast Sports Information)
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The No. 19-ranked Grenadier baseball team lost an 8-2 decision to top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett on Wednesday in the NAIA Opening Round.
The Grenadiers (43-14) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Kyle Asher hit a two-run double to left to make it 2-0.
The Grizzlies (56-4) tied the game on a two-run home run to left by Brady Hamilton in the bottom of the second.
The game would remain tied until the bottom of the fifth when Georgia Gwinnett put three runs across with two outs.
Josh Merrigan started the scoring with a RBI single to center to break the 2-2 tie. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, then a wild pickoff throw by starter Greg Laughlin moved him to third. Zac Rinehart, who had reached on a walk, advanced to second. Marcus McCorkle followed with a two-run single to right to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Grizzlies would add three more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
IU Southeast had 11 hits in the game but slowed the offense by hitting into three double plays.
Trent Simpson went 3-for-4 and Cody Maloon and Logan Coughlin each had two hits in the loss.
Greg Laughlin took the loss. He worked 4 2/3 and gave up five runs, four earned, on six hits. He walked four and struck out two.
IU Southeast will face the winner of Lindsey Wilson and British Columbia at 11 a.m. Thursday with a spot in the championship round on the line.