DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- Georgia Southwestern's season came down to one long, chaotic afternoon and evening at Bob Stein Stadium - and for a few hours Saturday, it felt like the Hurricanes might just outlast everyone.
Instead, they delivered one final rally, one final push, and ultimately one final chapter.
Saturday's Top Performers
- Josh McDonald: 4-for-7, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB
- Evan Wainman: 3-for-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- Jacob Reeves: 4-for-10, 2B, GW RBI vs. MGA
- Drew Reaves: HR, 2 RBI vs. MGA
- Cooper Sain: 3.2 IP, 0 R, 3 K, Win vs. MGA
- Wade Johnson: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 11 K
Hurricanes Outlast Middle Georgia in 12-Inning Thriller
In an elimination game that had just about everything, Georgia Southwestern survived a wild back-and-forth battle to defeat Middle Georgia State, 11-10, in 12 innings.
The Hurricanes looked in control early, powered by a barrage of home runs.
Josh McDonald jumpstarted the offense with a three-run shot in the third, and GSW piled on in the fifth as
Evan Wainman (11) launched a two-run homer before McDonald (6) struck again with his second long ball of the day.
When
Drew Reaves (5) added a two-run homer in the seventh, GSW had built a 9-3 cushion and seemed poised to cruise.
But nothing about this game came easy.
Middle Georgia State erupted for six runs in the ninth - capitalizing on three defensive miscues - to tie the game at 10-10 and force extra innings.
From there, it became a battle of survival.
After multiple scoreless frames, the Hurricanes finally broke through in the 12th. Pinch hitter
Edwin Melendez sparked the rally with a single, and moments later,
Jacob Reeves delivered the walk-off knock - scoring Melendez on a play extended by an outfield error to seal the 11-10 win.
Out of the bullpen,
Cooper Sain provided a critical steadying presence, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and keep GSW alive.
Season Ends in Nightcap Against Flagler
Less than an hour later, the Hurricanes were back on the field for another elimination game - this time against Flagler - with the toll of the earlier marathon evident.
GSW struck first, manufacturing a run in the opening inning, and later pulled within 4-2 in the seventh on an RBI double from Wainman. But despite putting traffic on the bases throughout the night - GSW left nine runners on base compared to the Saints three - the Hurricanes couldn't find the timely hit they needed.-
Flagler capitalized on a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning to build a lead, and their pitching staff made it hold up, turning four double plays to stifle multiple GSW threats.
Wade Johnson delivered a strong outing on the mound, striking out 11 over eight innings, without walking a batter, while allowing just four hits, but defensive miscues proved costly in the 4-2 loss.
A Season of Growth and Milestones
While the tournament run and season came to an end Saturday night, the 2026 campaign marked a step forward for the Hurricanes.
GSW secured its highest Peach Belt Conference win total in three seasons and made its fifth consecutive appearance in the PBC Tournament - continuing a run of consistency within one of Division II's toughest leagues.
Individually and collectively, the numbers underscored the program's upward trajectory:
- Evan Wainman capped his All-PBC First Team season with a .364 average (9th in program history in the NCAA era) and a .612 slugging percentage (2nd all-time).
- Devon Murphy drove in 58 runs, the third-highest single-season total in program history.
- Evan Koehler recorded 119 strikeouts, the third-most in a season by a Hurricane.
- As a team, GSW hit .303 (3rd in program history) with a .436 slugging percentage (2nd all-time).
And fittingly, their season finale reflected much of what defined them all year - power at the plate, resilience under pressure, and a refusal to go quietly.
For at least one more game, that fight was enough to keep the Hurricanes playing.
Until it wasn't.
