AMERICUS, Ga. – It was a back-and-forth affair in the rubber match of the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes' series with the Montevallo Falcons on Saturday afternoon. Three ties and two lead changes later, and the Hurricanes took the game by a score of 9-6.
It was a three-way attack for the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes offensively as three Hurricanes recorded three runs batted in to give the 'Canes their nine runs. It was third baseman Blane Parker's turn for the three spot when he unloaded the bases in the second inning with a triple to center field past a diving Falcon in the outfield. Parker's first career triple would bring in Les Cromer, Zach Moss and Corey Benson.
The visiting Falcons would answer with their first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning as Blaine Rosenberg would ground out to pitcher Matt Weaver while scoring a run at home. Montevallo would tie the game in the next inning.
The scoring action in the fifth would come on a pair of extra base hits by the Falcons. Heath Peterson would drive in one run with a double down the leftfield line. The next batter, designated hitter Chris Ross, would hit a triple that would score Peterson.
With the score tied at three runs apiece after four and a half innings, the Hurricanes would answer with their second RBI triple of the day. This time it would come off the bat of Zach Moss, which would also unload the bases as Parker's triple did before.
With GSW leading 6-3, the Falcons would draw blood again in the sixth inning. The two-run inning for Montevallo would come on back-to-back batters. A wild pitch would score Austin Dubberly, and Kirk Waligora would drive in the fifth Montevallo run of the game with a single to right field.
A scoreless seventh inning from both teams would not carry over into the eighth inning. Austin Dubberly would score on a wild pitch for the second time in the game to tie the game at six runs. The response from the Hurricanes in the bottom of the eighth inning would be swift and severe.
A Les Cromer double, a Jarrod Taylor walk and a Blane Parker single would set the table for GSW's leading hitter Michel Coffey. Coffey would smoke a double down the leftfield line to unload the bases for the third time in the game. The 26th, 27th and 28th RBI's of the season for Coffey would give the Hurricanes the three-run lead for the game.
The lead would hold up in the top of the ninth as senior Trent Franzago would come out off the Georgia Southwestern bullpen to pick up the save. Franzago's second save of the season would come as the Fort Valley native would strike two Falcons in the inning.
The win for the Hurricanes would give GSW the victory for the series. It would be the second PBC series won by Georgia Southwestern and their ninth conference victory of the season. The 2012 season will come to an end next weekend as Coach McLain and company will play host to Carson-Newman on Friday and Saturday. Game one on Friday will begin at 6 p.m.