COCHRAN, Ga. - The Georgia Southwestern baseball team rallied from a seven-run deficit to defeat Middle Georgia State University, 12-10, on Wednesday afternoon at Stucky Field.
GSW continued its historic start by improving to 5-0 this spring. It's the first time GSW has been undefeated through five games since joining the NCAA in 2006-07. Middle Georgia dropped to 6-2.
The Hurricanes trailed 10-3 after the sixth inning and began their rally by stringing together five hits and three walks to post a five-run seventh, cutting the Middle Georgia lead to two. Brett Burgess, Davey King and Devyn Newberry knocked in a run apiece and Evan Alderman capped off the inning with a two-run single.
After being retired in order in the eighth, GSW opened the ninth with a walk and a double down the left field line by Zach Barron. The Hurricanes made Middle Georgia pay for a fielding error when Alex Kranick followed by delivering the game-winning, two-run double to right field.
Dakota Long finished 3-for-6 at the plate with a double, two RBIs, two runs. Newberry went 3-for-5 with a walk, a RBI and two runs scored. Alderman, Kranick, Burgess and King each collected two hits and two RBIs. Brandon Weaver walked four times.
Andy Mocahbee led Middle Georgia at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance. Bryce Todd and Clint Wynn added two hits apiece.
GSW used five different pitchers in the game. Reliever Coty Graham (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after throwing two scoreless innings. Graham walked one, allowed one hit and struck out two. Kyle Spinks faced five batters in a scoreless ninth to earn his first save.
The Knights trotted five pitchers out to the mound. Starter John Hartzog did not factor into the decision after throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits. Nick Junger (0-1) suffered the loss after being charged with two unearned runs in the ninth.
Southwestern returns to Americus to host Montreat College in a three-game, non-conference series starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.