AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern baseball team earned a doubleheader split with Armstrong Atlantic State University on Sunday afternoon after another stellar pitching performance by Matthew Suggs in the nightcap. Armstrong won the opener, 6-3, and GSW cruised to a 9-0 win in Game 2.
The Hurricanes finish the day at 5-8 overall and 2-3 in Peach Belt Conference play. Armstrong sits at 8-3 overall and 2-3 in the PBC.
GAME 1: GSW 3, ARMSTRONG 6
Armstrong opened the scoring with a run in the third inning off a Cody Sherlin RBI single. The Pirates pushed two more runs across in the fourth inning behind a Will Thomas and a GSW error.
The Hurricanes closed the gap to a single run in the fifth inning when Neal Chambless and Jarrod Taylor delivered back-to-back RBI doubles to make the score 3-2.
The teams exchanged runs in the seventh before Armstrong put the game out of reach in the eighth with a no-hit, two-run frame.
Pirate starter Chris Base (2-0) went the distance and scattered six hits while striking out four and walking one.
GSW starter Frank Ambrosino (0-2) threw seven innings and allowed four runs - three earned. Ambrosino struck out three and walked one. Ryan Mosely was charged with two unearned runs and Earl Dupree finished the game with two scoreless innings of work.
Chase Butler and Dalton Johnson collected two hits apiece for Armstrong.
Neal Chambless led GSW with a 3-for-5 performance in the opener with a RBI and run scored.
GAME 2: GSW 9, ARMSTRONG 0
The Hurricanes utilized an 11-batter, seven-run seventh inning to blow open the nightcap. John Duran and Taylor sparked the offensive onslaught with two-run hits in the frame. Michael Coffey added an RBI single.
However, the Hurricanes lone run in the second inning would prove to be all the support GSW starting pitcher Matthew Suggs (2-1) would need as the junior turned in a complete-game shutout. Suggs struck out six and did not walk a batter while scattering seven singles.
Armstrong starter Juan Vera (2-1) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowed seven runs - five earned - while striking out four and walking one. Mitchell Dolan threw the final 1 2/3 innings.
GSW had eight of its nine batters collect at least one hit in Game 2. Duran, Coffey and Corey Benson collected two hits apiece.
Clayton Miller turned in a 3-for-4 game for Armstrong and Casey Maloney added two hits.
Southwestern returns to action on Wednesday with a trip to Auburn Montgomery. First pitch of the non-conference tilt is set for 5 p.m.