Hurricanes win series opener against #21 USC Aiken, 8-2

Hurricanes win series opener against #21 USC Aiken, 8-2

The Georgia Southwestern baseball team scored five runs in the ninth to put away No. 21-ranked USC Aiken on Friday evening in the first game of a three-game weekend series at Hernandez Stadium in Aiken.

GSW scored single runs in the second and third to stake a 2-0 lead before the Pacers answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to even the score at 2-2.

The teams remained tied until the sixth. Heath Lock started off the inning with a single for Southwestern and Byron Haynes moved him to third with a double down the right field line. Kevin Carroll brought in the deciding run with a sacrifice fly to left.

GSW (3-1) put the game out of reach in the ninth, bringing nine batters to the plate, collecting five hits and scoring five runs to extend their edge to six runs, 8-2.

Haynes and Bud Long led Southwestern's offensive attack with 3-for-5 nights at the plate. All three of Haynes' hits were doubles. Long scored two runs.

Aranas and Carmon, both of whom went 2-for-4 at the plate, led the Pacers in their effort on offense.

Hurricane starter Jody Sellars threw his second consecutive gem, scattering five hits over seven innings and holding USCA to two runs (none earned). In 12 innings of work in his first two starts, Sellars has not surrendered an earned run. Brandon Reeder and Chris Carroll each pitched an inning of scoreless relief.

Clayton Knight took the loss for USC Aiken (3-6) after allowing three runs (two earned) and seven hits in six innings on the hill.

The Hurricanes meet USCA for game 2 of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m.