No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett Slides by Reinhardt, 5-3

No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett Slides by Reinhardt, 5-3
Box Score

Team Stats

February 25, 2020

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Eagles got the tying run on base in the top of the ninth inning but couldn't get him around to score in Lawrenceville on Tuesday night, as the fifth-ranked Grizzlies were able to come from behind to nip Reinhardt, 5-3, inside Grizzly Baseball Complex.

The Eagles (9-4) got a pair of runs in the second frame – becoming the first team this season in 16 outings for Georgia Gwinnett – to score first against the Grizzlies in 2020, but the hosts were ultimately able to regroup and earn their 14th triumph of the season.

"Very tough and hard-fought game on both sides," head coach Jonathan Burton said. "This was a game we were excited to play in because we knew how tough of a challenge it would be. The game didn't disappoint, but we are obviously disappointed we didn't come out on top."

Reinhardt took the early lead after a hit-by-pitch set up a scoring opportunity. Gianmarco Marcelletti doubled into the night in deep right, allowing Michael Convery to come home on the next at-bat following a sacrifice fly from Ben Heideman. Marcelletti would then double the advantage on a Malique Foreman two-bagger a few moments later.

The positive margin wasn't safe, however, as Georgia Gwinnett was able to bring three across in the bottom of the third (a single, error and SAC fly) to move ahead for the first time on the night, 3-2. 

Foreman would get the scoreboard to all-square in the fourth with another double, this time down the line, bringing in Marcelletti to touch home plate again. From there, the offenses would be held in-check until the Grizzlies broke open the tie once more in the bottom of the eighth on a blooper to shallow center field and another SAC fly.

Foreman (2-for-2) reached first base on a walk – as did Nick Sanders – but a pair of strikeouts in between those at-bats proved-to-be crucial after a Keven Jimenez was out on a grounder to second to end the evening.

Ethan Foley was strapped with the loss after a solid five innings in relief and seven strikeouts.

The Rams of Columbia International (S.C.) are slated to come to town for the home-opening series within the Appalachian Athletic Conference beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Baseball, please click here.