AMERICUS -- A two-run fifth inning proved to be the difference as Georgia Southwestern went on to a 4-3 victory over No. 12-ranked Georgia College in the first game of a three-game weekend Peach Belt Conference series at Hurricane Field.
Southwestern improves to 9-12 overall, 2-2 in the PBC. Georgia College falls to 11-5, 3-1 in the Peach Belt.
The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Derek Johns knocked a single to left to drive in Danny McCorkell.
Southwestern answered in the bottom of the frame when a Chris
Lingham single followed by a pair of Georgia College errors tied
the game at a run apiece.
In the fifth, Miles Martin and Daniel Lynn started the frame with
back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt by Lingham had moved
the runners to second and third, the 'Canes were able to score two
more runs off of a fielder's choice and another GCSU error,
increasing their lead to 3-1.
It would stay that way until the eighth when Georgia College scored on Johns' first home run of the season to pull within a run at 3-2.
GSW added an insurance run in the bottom half of the eighth on two more GCSU errors after Bud Long had started the inning with a single.
The Bobcats managed a run in the ninth, on a Richard Pirkle RBI single, but Brandon Reeder struck out the next two batters to end the game.
R.M. Cozza (1-2) picked up the win for GSW. In eight innings of work, he struck out six and allowed only two runs on four hits. Reeder pitched the ninth and earned his second save of the season. GCSU's starter, Eric Pettepher (2-1) took the loss. Pettepher pitched seven innings and allowed three runs - one earned; he struck out four and surrendered five hits.
Only two batters finished with multiple hits in the contest. Lingham finished 2-for-3 with a run scored to lead the 'Canes. While Johns went 2-for-4 with the solo home run, two RBI and a run scored for Georgia College.
The Hurricanes and Bobcats finish the series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
PICTURED: RM Cozza
PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn