Brookhaven, Ga. – After jumping out to a 5-0 lead through four innings, the Gwinnett Tides (7-4) held off a furious rally from the Brookhaven Bucks (3-5) to earn a 5-4 victory.

The Tides enjoyed yet another productive night from their top three batters in the order as Parker Biederer, LaDonis Bryant, and Tony Salvaggio each had two hits on the night and accounted for three of the Tides’ runs.

The Tides struck quick and early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to an RBI single by Salvaggio and a successful double-steal which Bryant scored on.

The Tides would increase their lead to 5-0 in the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Crews Taylor and a two run double by Sean Mootrey.

The Tides had nine hits on the night, including seven on Bucks starter Tanner Thomson (1-1), who hadn’t given up a hit in any of his games prior this season.

Gary Gwaltney (2-0), who’d been struggling as a reliever, looked really good in his first start for the Tides this season.  He went 5.1 innings with four strikeouts while giving up six hits and only two earned runs to pick up the victory.

The Bucks wouldn’t go down without a fight, cutting into the deficit with two runs on a Connor Stutts double in the fifth, making it 5-2.  Then in the ninth, they continued their rally, loading the bases with one out.  After Maysoe Wiley struck out swinging to make it two outs, Billy Brand drove in a run after taking a pitch to the shoulder.  Another run scored on a single up the middle by Dalton Light, but Andrew Mink flew out to left field for the final out, ending the rally.

Both teams face each other again on Monday, June 26th, at Oglethorpe University at 7 p.m.  The Gwinnett Tides face the Sun Belt Patriots at Georgia Gwinnett College tomorrow at 1 p.m.