SAINT LEO, Fla. – One day after losing to the Saint Leo University Lions (18-8 in 2012), the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes were hoping to find the one-run difference that cost them the 3-2 decision on Tuesday. A four-run fifth inning by the home team would fuel the Lions' commanding 9-0 win.
Hurricane starting pitcher Hunter Thompson overcame a lead-off single and a Randall Sheffield error behind him to get through the first inning. He would not be able to say the same in the second inning after another Saint Leo single to lead-off the inning. Lion catcher Daniel Torres would send the ball down the right field line for a double to drive in the game's first run.
Blane Parker would get the first hit for the Blue & Gold in the top of the third inning, and he would follow it up by stealing second. It was all for not as the second baseman would not be driven in.
The lead-off runners on base by the home team would catch up to the Blue & Gold in the fifth inning. A free pass to Daniel Torres would be followed by a pair of singles to open the scoring action. After taking the 2-0 lead, Saint Leo would bring home their third run of the game on a Brendan Collins ground ball. The Lions would push the lead to five runs in the next at-bat as Michael Revell would hit a two-run home run to right field to take the stranglehold of the game at 5-0.
Saint Leo reliever Tyrone Miller would spell Stephen Grove beginning in the sixth inning. The right-hander would come in and pick up where Grove left off. He retired the GSW side in order in the sixth and seventh innings. He would finish the game and earn the save.
The Lions would put up their second four-run inning in the eighth to put the game on ice.
The loss puts the Georgia Southwestern record at 4-24 (2-12 PBC) for the 2012 season. The Hurricanes will look to improve their overall and conference record as they welcome the North Georgia Saints to Americus. The two teams will play a double header at Hurricane Field on Saturday, March 24th with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.