The South Georgia State College Hawks had a rough go of it late last week, losing three in a row to the Georgia Highlands Chargers. SGSC lost 8-2 Friday night. Then, on Saturday, the Hawks fell in a doubleheader 20-0 and 9-8.
In Friday night’s game, the Hawks outhit the Chargers 9-8 but couldn’t get runs across the plate. SGSC scored its only runs of the game in the fourth inning. Georgia Highlands, meanwhile, scored four in the first, one in the second, two in the fourth, and one in the seventh.
Luke Boone was the only Hawk with multiple hits. He was 4-4 with a run scored. One of his hits was a double. Enrique Castillo had the Hawks only other extra base hit, also a double.
SGSC used six pitchers in the game. Starter Jared Webb, who lasted 1 2/3 innings, took the loss. He gave up five runs (three earned) on four hits. He struck out two and walked three.
In game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Chargers erupted for 20 runs. They scored in every inning except the third and fourth. Colton Whaley was 2-3 for the Hawks.
Once again, SGSC sent six pitchers to the mound. Starter Luke Smith was the Hawks’ pitcher of record and took the loss with a two-inning outing.
The Hawks didn’t have long to lick their wounds. After a short break, they took to the field again for game two. And things started out much better – after four innings, SGSC led 7-2. Then the Chargers started clawing back. A four-run fifth and one-run sixth tied the game at seven. Georgia Highlands scored two more in the seventh to take a 9-7 lead. The Hawks showed some life in the bottom of the inning but came up a little short. With one out, Payton Bryant singled then moved to second on a Chaz Encarnacion walk. Luke Flading followed with a single on an 0-1 pitch that scored Bryant. Unfortunately, that’s all the Hawks would get and the Chargers completed the weekend sweep with a 9-8 win.
Jayden NeSmith, Boone, Encarnacion, and Whaley each had two hits for the Hawks. CJ Chalk and Jaden Camp scored twice.
Three Hawks took the mound in game two. Hayden Gmerek, the third pitcher of the day, took the loss with two innings of work.
The Hawks have been flirting with .500 all year long. The three losses drops them to 19-21 with 13 games remaining. SGSC’s next four games are all at home – Thursday against Andrew, a Saturday doubleheader also against Andrew, and a Tuesday showdown with Gordon State.