The South Georgia State College (SGSC) Hawks did all they could in their home opener, but it wasn’t enough to get past Santa Fe, as the Hawks lost both games.
In the first game of the series, Zack Rafuse paced the Hawks at the plate and went 1-1 to score one run. He also tripled in the seventh inning. Brett Wilcox looked sharp as he allowed Santa Fe just two hits and no earned runs. Wilcox walked none and struck out one during his three innings of work.
Cayden Hatcher was charged with the loss. He lasted just four innings, walked two, struck out two, and allowed two runs.
Santa Fe didn’t relinquish the lead after scoring two runs on a single in the first inning. The lone run of the game for the Hawks crossed the plate in the seventh inning on a wild pitch. The final score for game one was Santa Fe over SGSC 2-1.
In game two, the Hawks couldn’t push enough runs across to get the win and ended the series by losing 6-5 in seven innings.
Jacob Schmidt racked up three RBIs on one hit for the Hawks. He homered in the fourth inning.
Troy Hollinger had an impressive outing against Santa Fe’s lineup. Santa Fe managed just one hit off of Hollinger who allowed no earned runs, walked none, and struck out one during his three innings of work.
Santa Fe teamed up for four hits and three RBIs and went up for good in the first, scoring one run on an RBI double.
Caleb Hill couldn’t get it done on the rubber for the Hawks, taking the loss. He allowed six runs in three innings, walked one, and struck out two.
One run crossed the plate in the bottom half of the second for the Hawks, making the score 2-1. An RBI single by Wyatt Petrey fueled an SGSC comeback. The inning ended with a strikeout by Rafuse.
Santa Fe increased its lead with four runs in the third. An error scored a Santa Fe runner putting them on the board in the inning. That was followed up by a single, bringing home another Santa Fe player.
One run in the bottom of the third helped the Hawks close the deficit to 6-2. An RBI double by Mikal Flores set off SGSC’s rally, which was short-lived. The Hawks had a spark again in the fourth with a three-run home run by Schmidt, bringing the score to 6-5. The inning came to a close with the Hawks trailing by one run and a final score of 6-5.
The Hawks will play at home Feb. 4 in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. against Thomas University JV and again on Feb. 9 in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. against USC-Salkehatchie.
For more information on Hawks baseball, including a team roster, full schedule, and game and season statistics, please visit www.sgsc.edu/athletics.
– Submitted by Amy Hancock, SGSC External Affairs Coordinator