South Georgia State College’s (SGSC) baseball team defeated Thomas University (JV) 10-0 in seven innings on Feb. 18. Jalen Jackson racked up four RBIs on two hits for the Hawks (5-7). He singled in the first inning and homered in the fifth inning.
Tanner Wright kept Thomas University (JV) off the scoreboard for all seven innings he was on the mound. He allowed no opposing players to cross the plate on five hits while ringing up five.
The game’s lead went to the Hawks thanks to a first inning rally that saw two runs cross the plate on an error and an RBI single by Jackson. SGSC pushed across two runs in both the third and seventh innings. In the third, the Hawks scored on an RBI single by Jared Crews, scoring Zack Rafuse.
SGSC tacked on another four runs in the fifth. The inning got off to a hot start when Mikal Flores doubled, scoring Rafuse and Crews. That was followed up by Jackson’s two-run home run, plating Flores. The Hawks added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Landon Boyette doubled, plating Chandler Rogers and Chase Hinson.
The Feb. 19 doubleheader against St. Johns River resulted in two losses for the Hawks. The first game was decided in the final inning as SGSC fell to St Johns River 7-6. It was a good day at the plate for the Hawks’ Cameron Coffey. Coffey went 3-for-4 and scored two runs. He doubled in the first inning and singled in the fifth and seventh innings.
Will Lane took the loss for SGSC. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, walked none, struck out three, and allowed one run. St. Johns River jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the second. A single by Matt Rhodes that scored Alec Dowell started the inning. St. Johns River pushed more runs across when Rhodes scored on a two-run home run by Andrew Williamson, and Owens scored on an RBI triple by Omar Villaman.
The Hawks scored three runs of their own in the fifth on a two-run double by Stephan Gruver and an error. The game was never in doubt after the eighth, as St. Johns River scored one run on a solo home run by Weeks.
Game two of the doubleheader proved to be another tight game. It was decided in the seventh inning as the Hawks once again fell to St. Johns River 10-6.
Rogers racked up three RBIs on two hits for SGSC. He singled in the fourth and sixth innings. St. Johns River’s Jordan Kennedy got it done on the hill on the way to a win. He allowed two runs over three innings. He struck out three, walked one and surrendered six hits.
Crews was the game’s losing pitcher. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning, walked three, struck out one, and allowed five runs.
The top of the third saw St. Johns River take an early lead, 3-0. Toelken doubled, scoring Hunter Alexander, Alec Dowell and Williamson after a single by Dowell got things started.
SGSC answered with four runs of its own in the third. The Hawks scored on a fielder’s choice and a three-run double by Flores. The lead stayed with St. Johns River after the seventh, when it scored five runs on a two-run single by Williamson.
SGSC traveled to Florida Feb. 20 to once again face St. Johns River. Cayden Hatcher held up his end of the bargain, but Hatcher couldn’t pilot the Hawks past St. Johns River as SGSC lost 3-1.
Hatcher struck out eight batters. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings. Hatcher took the loss for SGSC.
The lead stayed with St. Johns River after the second, when it scored two runs on two singles. The fifth inning saw the Hawks score their only run on the day on a sacrifice fly by Crews.
In the second game, Sean Bryan went 2-for-3 at the plate, but the Hawks fell 8-2. Rhys Pollock got the win in relief for St. Johns River. Pollock pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed no runs. St. Johns River was sparked by Weeks and Williamson, who teamed up for five hits and five RBIs.
Hill couldn’t get it done on the mound for SGSC, taking a loss. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings, walked three, struck out none, and allowed three runs.
In the top of the first, the Hawks grabbed an early lead, 2-0. The rally started when Rogers singled. Rafuse then singled, bringing home Coffey. SGSC tacked on more runs when Rogers scored on a fielder’s choice.
St. Johns River piled on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. The inning got off to a hot start when Hunter Alexander singled, scoring Weeks. That was followed up by Williamson’s single.
For the SGSC Hawks baseball schedule, stats, and scores, visit the SGSC baseball page at www.sgsc.edu.
Narrative Science and GameChanger Media contributed to this story.
– Submitted by Amy Hancock, SGSC External Affairs Coordinator