SAINT LOUIS – A third inning home run from Miles Fore wasn't enough for the Spartans on Friday. The Spartans put together a solid effort in the latter innings, but were not able to dig themselves out of a hole in a 10-8 loss on Friday.
 
The Spartans opened the scoring in the third inning as Miles Fore recorded the first home run of the year for Missouri Baptist, a solo shot, to cut the Grizzlies' lead to 2-1. It was the third inning, however, that Georgia Gwinnett took control. Marcus McCorkle doubled to lead-off the inning and scored on a Tony Salvaggio sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-1.
 
Jordan Tylski and Alex Garland doubled later in the inning, leading to two more runs, which put the home team up 5-1.
 
The Spartans came back in the fourth. After a Gabriel Castillo walk to lead-off the inning, Domonique Hernandez doubled to deep right to put runners at second and third with no outs.
 
A wild pitch and a ground-out allowed two Spartan runs to cross the plate as Missouri Baptist cut the deficit to 5-3.
 
Chris Jones gave the home team a three-run lead in the bottom of the fourth. The senior outfielder drove a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall to make it 6-3, and the Grizzlies never looked back.
 
Missouri Baptist made an effort in the ninth to come back. Wayne Roberts drew the walk to lead-off the inning and Drew Brooks first hit of the season came directly after. The junior hit a two-out double, to score Roberts, and made it 10-6.
 
Then, with Brooks standing at second, Gabriel Castillo singled to center, which plated Brooks, and the Spartans looked to be back in business.
 
Still with two outs, Domonique Hernandez came to the plate and delivered another clutch hit. The Spartan right fielder laced an RBI single up the middle and made it 10-8. The hit caused the Grizzlies to head to the bullpen and bring Stone Kelly into the game to try to get the one-out save.
 
Kelly needed just one pitch to induce the game-ending fielder's choice as the Spartans ran out time.
 
Tommy Nawa got his first start and his first hit in the game. The catcher ended his day 1-2 at the plate and scored a runner when he reached on an error in the eighth.
 
Jonathon Pasillas also got in on the mix in the eighth. The junior picked-up his first hit of the season, an RBI single, to score Drew Brooks.
 
Both Hernandez and Castillo recorded a two-hit day as both have now hit safely in both games this season.
 
The Spartans will look to steal a game from the Grizzlies in the getaway game on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CST.