After an opening game that saw South Georgia State College (SGSC) muster eight hits against Darton State but lose by a score of 17-5, the Hawks (23-16, 8-4) came back with victories in the next two games with scores of 7-4 and 7-3. SGSC couldn’t pull it together in the last game of the series and finished with a disappointing 21-0 loss.
In game one on April 5, SGSC grabbed an early lead on their home field and maintained that lead until the top of the fifth inning when Darton exploded by scoring four runs and an additional seven runs in the sixth. The Hawks tried to regain the lead but fell short by only scoring two more in the bottom of the sixth. Darton stayed in the lead by scoring six runs in the top of the ninth.
SGSC’s Cameron Coffey doubled in the first inning and tripled in the sixth to top the box score. Chandler Rogers, Mikal Flores, Christian Harkey, Jacob Schmidt, Wyatt Petrey and Chase Hinson each added one hit in the game. Zack Refuse ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, taking the loss. Refuse lasted just 4 2/3 innings, walked three, struck out two, and allowed four runs.
The Hawks traveled to Albany for the three remaining games of the series. With a 3-3 tie in the April 7 game, the Hawks took the lead in the sixth inning when Conner Durden brought home the go-ahead run. Flores was solid at the plate for the Hawks as he went 3-for-4, drove in one and scored one run. Cayden Hatcher picked up the win for the Hawks. He allowed two earned runs, six hits and one walk while striking out six over his 7 1/3 innings of work.
The doubleheader on April 9 was one of victory and defeat for SGSC. The first game of the doubleheader saw the Hawks come out on top despite five lead changes. It became a back-and-forth affair until the Hawks pulled away by scoring four runs in the eighth inning to secure the lead. Stephan Cruver racked up three RBIs on four hits for the Hawks. Drew Johns recorded the win for SGSC.
Darton jumped out to an early and strong lead in game two, scoring 18 runs by the end of the second inning. With only two hits recorded, SGSC was not able to catch up and fell in the last game of the series.
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