SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes blew into town a day later than planned after inclement weather battered the southern part of the state the day before. With high winds still lingering in Savannah, the Hurricanes were shelled by the Armstrong Atlantic Pirates 14-1 in game one of the series.
Both teams would threaten in the early going of Sunday's game. Armstrong would be the first to do so in the bottom of the first as they would have runners on first and second with only one out. However, GSW starter Trent Franzago would strike out the next two batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
GSW would threaten in the next half of the inning, which began with a Blane Parker leadoff single. After Jarrod Taylor and Chase Young walks and a Randall Sheffield single, the Blue & Gold would have the bases loaded with only one out. This time it was Armstrong starter Ethan Bader's turn to walk away from runners in scoring position. A John Duran grounder to second would give AASU an inning-ending double play.
Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the Pirates would do more than threaten in the next inning. A lead-off single by R.J. Dennard would be compounded by three separate GSW fielding and throwing errors to give Armstrong Atlantic the 3-0 lead after two innings. All three runs would be unearned for GSW starter Trent Franzago.
The wheels would come off in the fourth inning as Armstrong would tack on five more runs to take a commanding 8-0 lead. The eight-run lead would hold until Randall Sheffield hit one of GSW's two extra base hits on the day in the seventh inning with a solo home run to left field. The Pirates would answer that run with six more by game's end to take home the 14-1 victory.
Armstrong starter Ethan Bader would get the decision in the win. Bader would go seven innings scattering nine hits, giving up one run while striking out seven Hurricanes.
The loss puts the Georgia Southwestern record at 2-15 (1-5 PBC) in the young 2012 season. The series will continue with a double header tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
