South Georgia State College baseball dropped three games over the weekend against two Florida schools.
On Friday, Feb. 26, the Hawks (5-11) played the first of two games against Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Fla. The Hawks fell victim to a walk-off two run blast in the bottom of the ninth inning, handing Central Florida a 20-19 win.
The Hawks came out with an early lead in the first with strong showings at the plate by Mikal Flores, Zack Refuse, Wyatt Petrey, and Sean Bryan. The game became a back-and-forth scoring contest with Central Florida responding to SGSC at the plate each time. Flores racked up five RBIs on six hits for SGSC. He doubled in the first and fourth innings and singled in four of the remaining innings. Refuse took the loss for the Hawks by walking one, striking out two, and allowing four hits in his 2 2/3 innings of work.
Saturday had the Hawks once again playing Central Florida Community College in the first game and Florida Southwestern College in the second game. SGSC fell to Central Florida 5-4 after a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth secured the lead. Cayden Hatcher pitched eight strong innings and allowed no earned runs on 11 hits. SGSC’s Joe Parete took the loss for the Hawks while lasting only two-thirds of an inning, walking none, striking out none, and allowing one run. Flores had another busy day at the plate, collecting three hits. He doubled in the first and seventh innings and singled in the ninth. A double by Cameron Coffey, bringing home Landon Boyette in the first inning, added to the total hits by SGSC.
Game two on Saturday was played against Florida Southwestern. The Hawks lost 7-2 in seven innings despite outhitting their opponent. SGSC’s Caleb Hill was charged with a loss by allowing six runs in four innings, walking two and striking out one. Conner Durden was hot from the plate for the Hawks as he went 1-for-2. Durden drove in one and scored one run with a homer in the sixth inning. Derek Paparella crossed the plate for the only other run of the game.
For more information, including a complete schedule, team roster, photos, and scores visit www.sgsc.edu/athletics.
– Submitted by Amy Hancock, SGSC External Affairs Coordinator