GSW wins big over Lander in opener of DH, then drops nightcap

GSW wins big over Lander in opener of DH, then drops nightcap

The Georgia Southwestern baseball team split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Lander to take the weekend Peach Belt Conference series two games to one at Hurricane Stadium. The 'Canes have won all three PBC series held in Americus this spring. GSW cruised to a 12-0 win in the first game on Saturday, while Lander salvaged the final game of the series, 6-4.

GAME 1: GSW 12, LANDER 0

By CHRIS WHITAKER
Americus Times-Recorder

AMERICUS — Kevin Carroll and Heath Lock had bases-clearing doubles in the seventh inning as Georgia Southwestern broke open a 3-0 lead en route to a 12-0 win in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

The Hurricanes (21-12, 10-7 PBC) scored nine runs in the frame.

Saturday’s first game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when the Hurricanes struck with three runs thanks to an error, wild pitch and Zack Stanton RBI-single.

Then in the seventh, Lander (20-17, 4-13) couldn’t do anything right. It took three pitchers to get the Bearcats out of the inning.

Bud Long had a two-run single, and Carroll and Lock did the rest of the damage.
Travis Barrett (4-0) pitched seven innings for GSW, allowing no runs on one hit with eight strikeouts and five walks. Brandon Reeder pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, allowing one hit while striking out two.

It was the Hurricanes’ second shutout and largest margin of victory on the season.

Carroll and Chris Lingham led GSW with three hits, and Stanton and Beau Parker each had two.

GSW stranded 14 while Lander left 10.

Darrin Tew (4-6) took the loss for the Bearcats.

GAME 2: LANDER 6, GSW 4

By GSW Sports Information 

A walk, two singles and a wild pitch contributed to a two-run fourth inning that gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead in the nightcap.

The Bearcats tied the game in the fifth with a run and regained the lead for good with a two-run sixth.

Parker knocked in the last run of the game for GSW in the bottom of the sixth on a single up the middle.

Lander added the final run of the game in the top of the ninth.

GSW collected four more hits (13-9) than Lander, but left one less runner stranded on base (10-9).

Jody Sellars suffered the loss for the Hurricanes, giving up five runs - four earned - on seven hits in seven innings of work, while walking five and striking out four.

Cory Hopper (4-2) earned the win for Lander after striking out five, walking three and allowing four earned runs on 12 hits in seven innings.

Long led GSW at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Jordan Owens and Bud Lanier had three hits apiece for LU.

The Hurricanes return to action on Tuesday with a non-conference home game against West Florida at 6 p.m.