By Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – The struggles continue for the Georgia Southwestern State University Baseball Team. The Hurricanes fell to Middle Georgia State Wednesday, March 21, by the score of 11-6 at Hurricane Stadium.

The Hurricanes have now lost 10 of their last 11 games. They are now 4-19 overall, while Middle Georgia improves to 24-9.

MGS scored nine unanswered runs against the Hurricanes: one run in both the second and third innings, four in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh.

Things started out well for GSW. In the bottom of the first, the Hurricanes scored three runs. The Hurricanes strung together three straight hits, highlighted by a two-out, two-run triple by Jonathan Martin.

Middle Georgia scored one run in the second and one in the third to pull within one run of GSW at 3-2. GSW added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded, Andy Moore drew a walk, as did Jared Jones. Josh Logan scored on a passed ball in the inning. At that point, things were looking good for GSW as they led 6-2. However, GSW was not able to score any more runs from then on out.

However, trouble began for the Hurricanes in the top of the fifth inning. The Knights scored four runs to tie the game at 6-6. The big blow in the inning came by way of Haydn Nechanicky. With two outs, Nechanicky belted a three-run home run.

Middle Georgia took the lead for the first time in the game when they scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Knights continued to add to their lead with three more runs in the seventh.

GSW starting pitcher Stewart Tyler worked 2 2/3 innings and held Middle Georgia to one hit. However, Tyler struggled with his command, walking five batters. Tyler struck out three and was charged with an earned run. He was replaced by Harrison Timberlake, who allowed over 2 2/3 innings of work. Timberlake was relieved by A.J. Hayes, who surrendered five runs over 1 1/3 innings. Sage Holderfield came on in relief of Hayes. Holderfield was able to hold the Knights scoreless for the final 2 1/3 innings.

GSW scored all six of their runs against MGS starter John Hartzog. Will Campbell came on in relief for Hartzog and held the Hurricanes scoreless for 2 1/3 innings to get the win. He is now 1-2 on the season.

Andy Moore and Jacob Harrell each had two hits to lead the Hurricanes. Moore drove in a pair of RBIs.

Dayton Beasley was 3-for-4 at the plate for the Knights with a double. The Knights’ Blake Jackson drove in four runs and was walked three times.

The Hurricanes hit the road for a three-game, non-conference weekend series against Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. The first ghame begins Friday, March 23, at 2:30 p.m. The two teams will hook up for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 24. Game 1 begins at 12 p.m., followed by the second game at 3 p.m.