Things finally turned around for the South Georgia State College Hawks. After dropping four in a row going back to April 4, the Hawks took two out of three from the Andrew College Tigers. SGSC walked off Thursday’s game 11-10 in the 12th inning. The Hawks followed with another extra-innings walk off in game one of a Saturday doubleheader, 6-5. The Tigers took game two 7-4.
Thursday, the Hawks had a 10-6 going into the ninth inning when the Tigers scored four runs. SGSC couldn’t score in the bottom of the frame, forcing extra innings. Neither team scored until the 12th. With one out, Payton Bryant singled to left then advanced to third on a Chaz Encarnacion double. The Tigers intentionally walked Enrique Castillo to load the bases. Then Jayden NeSmith singled to center on a 2-0 pitch to score Bryant and win the game.
Jesse Brown led the way offensively with a 4-6 day. He also drove in four. Jaden Camp was 3-4 with three runs scored. Encarnacion was also 4-6 with a run scored. Bryant added a pair of hits and three runs scored as well.
The Hawks used nine pitchers with Michael Gagliano, the final hurler head coach Jeff Timothy sent to the mound, earning the win with a scoreless inning of work.
SGSC continued the extra-innings walk-off trend in game one on Saturday. Trailing 5-1, the Tigers scored four in the sixth to tie the game. Neither team scored in the seventh, sending it to extra innings for the second time in as many games.
And once again, Payton Bryant scored the game-winning run.
The first two Hawks flew out. Bryant singled then advanced to second on a bad throw. Encarnacion was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Castillo was next and hit the second pitch he saw into left for a double, scoring Bryant for the game winner.
Bryant had two hits and two RBI. Castillo had two hits and one RBI. CJ Chalk scored twice. Gage Digiovanni, who threw two innings in relief, collected the win.
In game two on Saturday, the Tigers jumped out to a 7-1 lead after six and a half innings. In the bottom of the sixth, the Hawks scored three to get within three runs. But that’s all the offense they could generate. Andrew avoided a sweep with a 7-4 win.
Luke Flading, Chalk, and Camp each had two hits. Luke Boone doubled for the only extra-base hit the Hawks had. Logan Taylor threw 3 2/2 innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on six hits. He struck out five and walked three. Two other SGSC hurlers finished out the day.
SGSC is now 21-23 on the season with eight games remaining. They take the field again on Tuesday at home against Gordon State at 3 p.m.