GREENWOOD, S.C. — Georgia Southwestern's recent struggles away from home continued Friday night as Lander University used a decisive third inning to hold off the Hurricanes for an 8-6 win in the opener of a three-game Peach Belt Conference series.
GSW battled back to within a run on multiple occasions but couldn't overcome an early five-run surge by the Bearcats, dropping to 18-15 overall and 11-5 in conference play. The Hurricanes have lost their last five road games.
Wainman Powers Early Offense
GSW got on the board in the second inning when
Evan Wainman launched a solo home run to right field, tying the game at 1-1.
The Hurricanes kept the pressure on in the third. After
Kelsen Johnson reached and
Devon Murphy followed with a single, Wainman delivered again with an RBI single to center. Moments later,
Josh McDonald added an RBI knock through the right side to give GSW a 3-1 advantage.
Wainman led the Hurricanes with a 3-for-3 performance, driving in three runs and reaching base five times.
Lander Uses Big Third to Swing Momentum
Lander answered in a big way in the bottom half of the third.
Taking advantage of a hit-by-pitch and a fielding error, the Bearcats strung together timely hits, including a two-run single from Landen Still and an RBI double from Pip Smalley. By the end of the inning, Lander had pushed across five runs to turn a two-run deficit into a 6-3 lead.
Hurricanes Chip Away
Georgia Southwestern refused to go away.
The Hurricanes cut into the deficit in the sixth inning.
Caleb Gipson and
Drew Reaves helped set the table before
Drake Harman ripped a ground-rule double to score a run. Johnson followed with a sacrifice fly to bring GSW within 6-5.
After Lander added a run in the bottom half, the Hurricanes again answered in the eighth. Johnson worked a walk, Murphy singled, and Wainman came through once more with an RBI single to make it a one-run game at 7-6.
Bearcats Add Insurance
Lander created separation in the eighth inning.
A walk and stolen base set up another scoring opportunity before Smalley delivered an RBI single to plate an insurance run, extending the lead to 8-6.
The Bearcats bullpen closed it out in the ninth to secure the opener.
Strong Nights at the Plate
The Hurricanes totaled 11 hits and drew eight walks in the contest, but left 13 runners on base.
Murphy finished with two hits and reached base three times, while McDonald added a pair of hits and an RBI. Harman contributed an RBI double as part of the sixth-inning rally.
On the mound,
Evan Koehler worked for five innings but suffered his first loss of the season (6-1).
Streaks Continue
Wainman recorded his team-leading 16th multi-hit game of the season, while Harman extended his on-base streak to 24 consecutive games.
Next Up
GSW will look to even the series Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Hurricanes continue the three-game conference set at Lander.
