AMERICUS, Ga. — Georgia Southwestern kept the bats rolling and the momentum building Tuesday night.
Behind a balanced offensive attack and a late-game surge, the Hurricanes pulled away from Albany State University for a 12-3 nonconference victory at Hurricane Stadium, securing the season series two games to one.
GSW struck early, responded to a midgame push, and ultimately broke things open with a decisive seventh inning to put the game out of reach.
How It Happened
GSW wasted little time getting on the board, manufacturing runs in each of the first three innings to build a 5-0 advantage.
In the first,
Evan Wainman delivered an RBI single before
Kelsen Johnson added another to give the Hurricanes an early cushion. Two more runs crossed in the second on Johnson's two-run double, and
Drake Harman added an RBI groundout in the third to extend the lead.
Starting pitcher
Wade Johnson kept Albany State in check through four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three.
The Golden Rams finally broke through in the sixth and seventh innings, taking advantage of free passes and defensive miscues to trim the deficit to 5-3 and create some late intrigue.
But the Hurricanes had an answer — and then some.
Seventh-Inning Separation
Clinging to a two-run lead, GSW delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the seventh.
Drew Reaves ignited the inning with a solo home run down the left field line — measured at 359 feet — to spark a five-run frame. Moments later, Harman delivered the biggest swing of the night, driving in two runs with a single before
Devon Murphy and Wainman followed with RBI hits to stretch the lead to 10-3.
The Hurricanes added two more in the eighth, once again keyed by Harman, who laced a two-run double to cap his five-RBI performance.
On the Mound
Wade Johnson (3-1) earned the win with four scoreless innings to start the game, setting the tone early.
After Albany State (25-16) made its push,
Jackson Raper shut the door, tossing three hitless innings with four strikeouts to secure his first save of the season.
Notes
- Harman reached base safely for the 38th consecutive game
- Harman and Wainman each recorded their 20th multi-hit games of the season
- GSW drew 11 walks as a team
- The Hurricanes improved to 24-23 overall
- GSW claimed the season series, 2-1, over Albany State
Up Next
The Hurricanes host Columbus State University for a three-game Peach Belt Conference weekend series to close out the regular season. Game 1 is Friday at 6 p.m.
