By Chris Whitaker, The Americus Times-Recorder
COLUMBUS - Georgia Southwestern avoided a series sweep to the
hands of Columbus State by winning the second game of Saturday's
doubleheader, 5-0.
The Hurricanes lost a 8-7 heartbreaker in 10 innings Friday
night, and they lost Saturday's first game by a 10-4 score.
Zach Whitman pitched a complete game shutout in Game 2 Saturday,
scattering six hits while striking out nine and walking two.
Zack Stanton and Daniel Lynn led the Hurricanes' offense going
3-for-4, and Lynn and Trey Reeves each had two RBI in the win.
Stanton had a triple, and Noble Coley homered to lead off the fifth
inning.
In Saturday's first game, the Cougars (27-21, 12-14 PBC) broke
open a 2-2 tie in the seventh with six runs. Tyler Baughman led off
the frame with a solo home run, Alex Montes had his school-record
ninth-straight hit, and Chris Martin belted a three-run home run.
Montes finished 5-for-5 including a triple, Martin was 2-for-5
with four RBI and two home runs, and two others had two hits for
CSU.
Bud Long led GSW (18-33, 8-19) by going 3-for-5 with a double;
Kevin Carroll added two hits.
Andrew Whiggum pitched 6.1 innings, allowing seven runs on 11
hits in taking the loss.
The Hurricanes rallied on three occasions Friday night to tie
the game, including the ninth when Long scored on a wild pitch.
But CSU pinch-hitter Ryan Lewis hit the walk-off in the 10th for
an 8-7 win.
GSW only had six hits, led by Long's 3-for-4 night and four RBI.
Montes was 5-for-5, Martin was 3-for-3 with three RBI, and two
others had two hits for the Cougars.
R.M. Cozza pitched eight innings, and Tyler Daniel (0-2) pitched
one-plus in suffering the loss.
GSW will finish the regular season on Monday at home when Albany
State pays a visit. First pitch is 5 p.m.