Overpowered In Series Opener

Overpowered In Series Opener

AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern suffered a lopsided 15-0 setback in the Peach Belt Conference baseball series opener against UNC Pembroke on Friday evening at Hurricane Stadium.

The Hurricanes had their two-game winning streak snapped and fell to 8-18 overall and 2-14 in the PBC. UNCP improved to 18-7 overall, 7-6 in conference play.

Christian Snider drove in a pair of runs with his double to left-center field in the second inning to open the Braves scoring barrage. UNCP added three runs in the third and Cody Adkins highlighted a five-run fifth inning with his three-run home run to right field.

Trailing 12-0 in the sixth, Evan Alderman gave the Hurricanes their first hit of the game with a bunt down the first base line. Zach Barron added a bunt single in the eighth inning and Will Redding provided the only additional offense for GSW with a triple in the ninth.

UNCP had scored three runs in its half of the ninth inning to close out the scoring.

Braves starting pitcher Wes Helsabeck (4-0) retired the first 16 GSW batters in order before walking Brandon Weaver with one out in the sixth inning. Helsabeck completed eight innings on the mound, walked one and struck out nine. Jimmie Davis pitched the final frame.

Earl Dupree (0-5) took the loss for the Hurricanes. Dupree pitched 4 1/3 innings before Coty Graham closed out the fifth. Justin Barnes took the mound in the sixth inning and Michael Ranieri threw the final three frames for GSW.

Dalton Knight was 4-for-6 with a double and he scored three runs to lead UNCP at the plate. Zade Denton and Drew Cole added three-hit performances for the Braves.

The series wraps up Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.