The South Georgia State College Hawks remain at .500 in conference play after splitting a double-header with the Andrew College Fighting Tigers in Cuthbert Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks took game one 19-9 but lost game two 3-2 on a walk-off single.
In game one, SGSC jumped out to a 6-0 lead after Luke Boone singled to score two runs, Coffee’s Payton Bryant doubled to score two, Chaz Encarnacion doubled to score one, and Talon Daignault drove in one on a double of his own. In the second, Boone tripled and Bryant singled, each scoring a run. The Hawks put six more in the third, two in the sixth, and three in the seventh. The Fighting Tigers, meanwhile, tried to stay in the game, scoring three in the third, four in the fourth, one in the fifth, and one in the seventh.
Boone led the way offensively for SGSC. He was 3-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. He also walked once. Bryant, Brown, and Encarnacion weren’t far behind – Bryant went 3-4 with three RBI, a run scored, and a walk while Encarnacion also had a 3-4 day with an RBI and three runs scored. Jesse Brown turned in another 3-4 day; he also drove in two and scored three.
Starter Luke Smith took the win with a 3 2/3 inning outing. He gave up seven runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking one.
Game two unfolded a little differently. Andrew scored one in the bottom of the second. Neither team plated another run until the top of the sixth when CJ Chalk stole home to tie the game at one. Andrew pulled ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the inning when Jack Quick hit a solo home run. Then, in the top of the seventh, Bryant, who was pinch hitting, got into a 2-2 pitch for a solo home run that tied the game at two. The homer was Bryant’s second of the year.
The Hawks’ good fortune wouldn’t last. With the bases loaded and one out, Jordan Baynes singled that scored Al Nsah to walk it off for the Fighting Tigers 3-2. Chalk had two hits for the Hawks. Boone, SGSC’s third pitcher of the day, took the loss.
The Hawks are back in action at home on Saturday with a double-header against Gordon State College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.