AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern rallied back from an early three-run deficit to force extra innings for the second time in the weekend series against Wingate University only to fall short on Sunday, 4-3, in 10 innings at Hurricane Stadium.
Wingate did its damage in the first inning after two outs. Colby Barnett hit a RBI double and Bradley Brown scored on the next play, an infield single.
The Bulldogs added a run in the second inning when an errant throw from the outfield off a Michael Godinez single allowed Shane Billings to score from third.
Southwestern was held to one hit until the fourth inning. Brett Burgess was hit by a pitch to open the frame and advanced to third on the next play, a Will Redding single to center field. Burgess crossed the plate for the Hurricanes first run of the afternoon on a wild pitch.
GSW struck again in the sixth inning with a two-out RBI single by Zach Barron. Burgess scored on the play and Redding was thrown out at home after trying to score from second.
The Hurricanes tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. Devyn Newberry started the run with a two-out single. After stealing second, Newberry advanced to third on Evan Alderman's single up the middle and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Bill Krebs drove in the game-winning run with a two-out single in the 10th.
Redding and Barron finished with two hits apiece to lead the Hurricanes. GSW finished the three-game weekend series against Wingate with 25 hits, all of which were singles.
Barnette led all batters with a 4-for-5 performance on Sunday. Godinez went 3-for-4 for the Bulldogs and Brad Cherry added a two-hit effort.
GSW starting pitcher Lance Shelton settled in after the first inning hiccup and threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - and nine hits. He walked one and struck out five. Shelton worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth and retired the side in order on four occasions.
Justin Barnes (1-2) handled the final 2 2/3 innings for GSW. Barnes allowed three hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter.
Wingate (24-17) needed only two pitchers to pick up the series-deciding win. Starter Hunter Hamilton tossed six innings, scattered five hits, allowed two runs, walked one and struck out two. Brandon Donahue (2-2) covered the final four innings, surrendered three hits and one run while walking one and striking out three.
Southwestern (12-28) wraps up its four-game home stand on Tuesday with a non-conference game against Thomas University at 6 p.m.
