DEMOREST, Ga -- The George Fox baseball team wrapped up their Georgia tournament against the tourney host Piedmont Lions, starting strong but ultimately losing, 5-1.

How It Happened
After two scoreless innings to start the game, the Bruins struck first in the top of the third. After being hit by a pitch, Gabe DeBenedetto advanced to third base as Joey Marasco doubled. Then, on a scorekeeper's nightmare of a play, Jayson Au Hoy struck out swinging — but the pitch sailed wayward. Au Hoy's hustle got him on first base and scored DeBenedetto, putting Fox up, 1-0.

Piedmont wasn't far behind as they scored a run immediately in the bottom of the third on an RBI grounder to tie the score, 1-1, and put Fox on their toes. In the fourth inning, Brennan Bates singled to load the bases with Adam Fulton and BJ Tokushima one base. However, that was it for Fox's inning — the Bruins came up short on their next two at-bats, and Piedmont scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, passing the Bruins by at 2-1.

Once again, Fox had another chance, with Garrett Strube doubling in the top of fifth, but Fox didn't advance their score. The Lions scored once again, putting the Bruins down 3-1 by the bottom of the fifth inning. 

After a scoreless sixth, The Lions scored two runs in the seventh to make the score 5-1, one off of a hit by pitch and the other off of a tough fielder's choice on an infielder grounder. The Bruins would not register a hit for the remainder of the game, dropping the game, 5-1.

Top Performances
Joey Marasco, Garrett Strube, and Brennan Bates each totaled a hit in the game, while Gabe DeBenedetto had the lone run of the game. On the mound, Aidan Rady allowed just three hits in six innings, striking out six. 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will head back to Oregon to face Centenary in a four-game home series. The first game is scheduled for Thursday, February 19 at 1:00 pm.