Grenadier offense quieted by Grizzlies in 5-2 loss at Avista NAIA Baseball World Series

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LEWISTON, Idaho -- No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett got a complete game performance from Kaleb Hill and handed No. 10 IU Southeast (Ind.) their first loss of the Avista NAIA Baseball World Series on Saturday (May 25) by a final score of 5-2 at Harris Field.

After three scoreless frames to open the game, the Grizzlies, who improved to 52-7 with the win, got on the board first scoring three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth to take an early 3-0 lead.

The lead grew to 4-0 after Braxton Meguiar hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but the Grenadiers, who left two on in the fourth and sixth innings, got on the board and cut the deficit in half with a couple of runs in the top of the seventh.

Max Flock opened the inning with a single before Logan Murphy laced an RBI double to left field scoring Flock from first. Following a line out, Slater Schield reached on a fielder's choice scoring Alex Yurt, who was courtesy running for Murphy.

Unfortunately for the Grenadiers, that would be the only offense they would get. Georgia Gwinnett added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Jackson Cobb, but the Grenadiers struggled to crack the code that was Kaleb Hill.

The left-hander tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on four hits. Hill, who improved to 11-1 with the win, finished with nine strikeouts.

For the Grenadiers, Murphy led the way with two hits, while Schield and Mason White carded one hit apiece.

Connor Sims (4-3) was pinned with the loss after allowing four runs – two earned – on six hits with seven punchouts in his five innings of work.

The loss drops IU Southeast (37-19) into the loser's bracket where they will square off with No. 4 Hope International (Calif.) in an elimination game. First pitch is set for 2:35 p.m. ET on Monday (May 27).