GREENWOOD, S.C. — Georgia Southwestern's road struggles continued Saturday as Lander University walked off the Hurricanes for a 5-4 victory in Game 2 of a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Dolny Stadium.
The loss marked the third straight for GSW and the fifth consecutive win in the series for Lander, which has now claimed seven of the last eight meetings between the programs. The Hurricanes fell to 18-16 overall and 11-6 in conference play.
Hurricanes Build Early Lead
GSW put together a strong middle stretch to take control early.
After tying the game in the second on an RBI groundout by
Drew Reaves, the Hurricanes grabbed the lead in the third when
Jacob Reeves scored on a double play.
Evan Wainman extended the advantage in the fourth, blasting a solo home run, his second of the series, to left field. Later in the inning,
Caleb Gipson delivered an RBI single to cap a two-run frame and give GSW a 4-1 lead.
Nutt Settles In
Making the start, freshman
Johnny Nutt turned in a steady outing on the mound.
The lefty worked into the eighth inning, allowing three earned runs while striking out six. He worked around traffic in multiple innings and kept Lander off the board after the first until the sixth.
Bearcats Chip Away
Lander began to claw back in the sixth inning, using a groundout to bring home a run and cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Bearcats pulled within one in the seventh, taking advantage of an error to plate an unearned run. An RBI double in the eighth then tied the game at 4-4, setting the stage for a late finish.
Walk-Off in the Ninth
After the Hurricanes threatened in the top of the ninth by loading the bases, Lander answered in the bottom half.
A hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles set up the opportunity before Landen Still delivered a walk-off RBI single to right field, sealing the 5-4 win for the Bearcats.
Missed Opportunities
GSW finished with 11 hits and drew three walks but stranded key runners late, including a bases-loaded chance in the ninth inning.
Josh McDonald and
Samuel Hogue each recorded two hits, while Gipson added a pair of hits and an RBI. Wainman's home run accounted for his lone hit and RBI of the day.
Streaks Continue
Drake Harman extended his hitting streak to 10 games, marking his second double-digit streak of the season after a 14-game run earlier this year.
Harman also reached base safely for the 25th consecutive game, continuing to provide consistency at the top of the lineup.
Next Up
The Hurricanes will look to avoid the series sweep Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. as the Hurricanes wrap up the three-game set at Lander.
