GWINNETT, Ga. – The No. 9 Lions (2-4) dropped the first two games in a last-minute, three-game series against No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett (3-2) 5-2 and 4-3 on Friday afternoon.

The Grizzlies jumped on top of the Lions from the start in game one of the double-header, going up 3-0 after the first inning and adding another in the second inning to make it a 4-0 contest early.

The Lions were able to add two runs in the top of the fourth after Von Watson hit a leadoff double and was brought in after advancing to third and then scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Dalton Lankford. A Cameron Starks single to right field would score Riley Perks to make it a two-run contest.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Grizzlies added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth, and they held the Lions scoreless in the top of the seventh to win the first matchup.

Gwinnett got off to another hot start in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding another in the second. But the Lions were able to score two runs of their own in the top of the third after Beau Simpson drove in Zach Sanders with a single and Josh Sears scored from second base on the throw in.

They later tied the game at three runs apiece in the fifth inning after a passed ball brought in Dom Pisano from third. But the Grizzlies were able to answer in the bottom of the seventh with a run of their own, and they would go on to hold the Lions to get the double-header sweep.

Simpson finished the second contest 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Jacob Sawyers struck out eight batters in seven innings of work.

The series will conclude on Saturday when the two top-10 teams meet up for a single game. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon central time.