LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Bryan College Lions dropped all three games of their season-opening series against second-ranked Georgia Gwinnett, but showed significant improvement after a blowout loss in the series opener, pushing the Grizzlies to the wire in two competitive contests on Friday.

Game 1: Georgia Gwinnett 17, Bryan (TN) 1 (Thursday)
The series began with a dominant performance from the Grizzlies, who cruised to a 17-1 victory in nine innings. Georgia Gwinnett exploded for 17 runs on 17 hits, jumping out to a 7-0 lead through three innings.

Trey Smith led the offensive barrage with three hits and two RBIs, while P. Watts added three hits and three RBIs. P. Fort contributed three RBIs of his own in the lopsided affair.

Bryan starter Tyler Gray (0-1) lasted just three innings, surrendering seven earned runs. The Lions' lone run came in the sixth inning when Logan Stradley singled home Caleb Ramsey.

Georgia Gwinnett starter Gavin LeBlanc (1-0) dominated through five innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven.

Game 2: Georgia Gwinnett 6, Bryan (TN) 5 (Friday, Game 1)
The Lions showed resilience in the series' second game, battling back from deficits to make it a one-run game before falling 6-5.

Bryan took an early 2-1 lead in the third inning on Caleb Ramsey's two-run homer that scored Cyrus Campos. The Lions extended their advantage to 4-1 in the fourth when Denajh Williams launched a two-run shot to right field, plating Cade Cook.

However, Georgia Gwinnett chipped away, tying the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning before JJ Garcia's RBI double gave the Grizzlies a 5-4 lead. The Lions answered in the sixth when Zach Terry singled home Denajh Williams to even the score at 5-5.

The game remained tied until the seventh, when Payton Fort's sacrifice fly scored Jay O'Neill for the winning run.

Peyton Watts went 2-for-2 with two walks and a triple for the Grizzlies, while Christian Johnson (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless seventh inning.

Bryan's JD McCurry pitched well in a losing effort, allowing just three runs (two earned) over four innings.

Game 3: Georgia Gwinnett 7, Bryan (TN) 5 (Friday, Game 2)
The series finale proved to be another tight contest, with the Lions again pushing the second-ranked Grizzlies before falling 7-5.

Bryan jumped ahead 3-0 in the second inning with a three-run rally. Cyrus Campos started the scoring with an RBI single, Caleb Ramsey followed with an RBI single, and Jayron Morris capped the frame with another run-scoring hit.

Georgia Gwinnett responded immediately, cutting the deficit to 3-1 on JJ Garcia's RBI double in the bottom of the second. The Grizzlies then seized control with a two-run homer by Peyton Watts in the third inning that scored PaytonFort, tying the game at 3-3.

The Grizzlies took their first lead in the fourth on Grant Pohlman's sacrifice bunt RBI and extended it in the fifth when JJ Garcia doubled in a run and later scored on a throwing error, making it 7-3.

Bryan refused to fold, scoring in the sixth on Morgan Halliday's RBI single and again in the seventh when Denajh Williams singled home Caleb McCarty, but couldn't complete the comeback.

Despite the 0-3 start, Bryan College showed marked improvement over the course of the series, demonstrating they can compete with elite competition. The Lions will look to build on the momentum from their strong finishes as they continue their season.

They will host Marian University in their Home Opener next weekend.