AMERICUS, Ga. — In a matchup with the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, Georgia Southwestern leaned on its ace — and he delivered.
Behind a dominant complete-game performance from
Evan Koehler and a late go-ahead RBI from
Evan Wainman, the Hurricanes edged the University of Tampa 2-1 Friday night at Hurricane Stadium in the opening game of a nonconference series.
The Spartans entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the nation in both the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) polls and boasting a 15-1 record, but Koehler kept the powerful Tampa lineup in check from start to finish.
Koehler in Command
Koehler was electric on the mound.
The right-hander struck out 15 batters across nine innings, allowing just four hits and one run without issuing a walk. Tampa hitters struggled to find any rhythm as Koehler consistently worked ahead in counts and finished at-bats with swing-and-miss stuff.
He struck out the side twice and closed the night with back-to-back strikeouts in the ninth to seal the victory.
Reeves Breaks Through Early
Runs were at a premium in the pitcher's duel, but GSW grabbed the first lead in the third inning.
Jacob Reeves opened the frame by launching a solo home run to put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0. The blast marked Reeves' second home run of the season and accounted for the only scoring through the first five innings. It is the only earned run scored off Tampa starter Robert Satin, a transfer from the University of Florida, through 32 1/3 innings this season.
Tampa tied the game in the sixth when Brayden Woodburn delivered an RBI single after a leadoff hit from Jesse Ponce.
Hurricanes Answer Late
GSW responded in the eighth.
Drake Harman started the rally with a single before
Devon Murphy followed with a base hit up the middle to move Harman to third. Wainman then lined a single to first base, bringing home the go-ahead run and giving the Hurricanes a 2-1 advantage.
Murphy later stole third to keep the pressure on, but Tampa escaped further damage.
The one-run lead proved more than enough for Koehler.
Hot Bats Continue
Harman paced the Hurricanes offensively with two hits, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.
Murphy added a hit of his own and has now reached base safely in 16 consecutive games, matching
Kelsen Johnson — who also extended his streak to 16 contests with a walk.
Wainman finished with two hits and the game-winning RBI, giving him multiple hits in 10 games this spring — tied for the team lead with Murphy.
Statement Win
Against the nation's top-ranked team, Georgia Southwestern delivered one of its most complete performances of the season.
Koehler dominated the mound, the Hurricanes produced timely offense, and the defense held firm late as GSW secured a signature victory to open the weekend series. Game 2 of the series, part of GSW Baseball and Softball Alumni Weekend, is Saturday at 4 p.m.
