Pioneers bested in tourney-opening game by Grizzlies

May 8, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Crowley's Ridge College fell victim to the nation's leading extra-base hitting Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies in the opening round of the 2021 A.I.I. Conference Championships with a final tally of 15-0.

Despite playing in their opponent's stadium, Crowley's Ridge (21-27) took the field as the home team after a coin flip determined the designated home and visiting teams. Batting first, #8 Georgia Gwinnett (40-9) rounded the bases to score six runs in the opening frame, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Livingston Morris.

Leading off for CRC, Nate Finney (SR/Oran, Mo.) answered with a single of his own; however, the next three Pioneers were sat down on strikes to end the threat.

After the Grizzlies added two more runs in the top of the second, Corbett Seib (JR/Poplar Bluff, Mo.) led off the bottom of the second with a walk, trailed by Austin Gross (JR/Van Buren, Ark.)'s single. Seib and Gross stayed put until a strikeout and two flyouts retired the side, leaving the runners stranded.

Reaching base for the second time, Finney took advantage of a throwing error by the Grizzlies to start the bottom of the third. Later advancing to second after two strikeouts and a walk, Finney was thrown out attempting to swipe third base, ending the inning on the basepaths.

GGC added two runs in the top of the fifth before putting the nail in the CRC coffin with a five-run seventh inning to complete the shutout 15-0.

Finney and Gross collected the only Pioneer hits of the day, both singles.

UP NEXT

Crowley's Ridge will play in the win-or-go-home elimination game against the loser of the second opening-round game between Fisher (Mass.) College and Xavier University of Louisiana tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. CT.