LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Jereid Woods' infield grounder with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning got by Faulkner shortstop Edgar Figueroa and sixth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett beat No. 1 Faulkner 5-4 here Tuesday night in a non-conference battle of NAIA heavyweights.

Ty Abbott and Kyler Timmerman opened the decisive half inning with singles, and one out later Michael Hodorowski loaded the bases with an infield base hit to set the stage for Woods. The bounder off of Faulkner reliever Alejandro Castro glanced off Figueroa's glove, allowing the winning run to score.

Christian Turnipseed was dominant in earning the victory for the Grizzlies, striking out all six batters he faced in the ninth and 10th innings. With the victory, Georgia Gwinnett improved to 38-8 with the victory, while Faulkner fell to 38-9 with the loss. The Grizzlies had 12 hits on the night, with the Eagles managing only five.

Faulkner had its chances, loading the bases with nobody out in the top of the seventh in a 4-4 game. Chris Madera reached on an error, which was followed by a single from Figueroa and a walk to Robert Llera. Grizzly left hander Andy Threatt battled back, however, striking out Randy Joung and Alexis Torres before coaxing a groundout to shortstop from Dennis Morton to end the threat.

Georgia Gwinnett, was on top 4-1 early before Faulkner tied the game in the sixth, had a chance in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and only one out. Castro came through with a strikeout and forced an infield groundout to get out of the jam.

Figueroa had two hits to pace the Eagles' attack. Faulkner starter Christian Torres struck out 11 in six innings of work, earning a no decision.

Faulkner hosts Middle Georgia State in a three-game Southern States Athletic Conference series this weekend at Harrison Field. The first game is Friday night at 6, with a doubleheader set for Saturday afternoon at 1.