AMERICUS, Ga. — Georgia Southwestern closed the weekend the same way it started — with poise late and pressure throughout.
The Hurricanes rallied for a 7-5 win in Game 1 on Saturday before securing the doubleheader and series sweep with a 6-1 victory in the nightcap at Hurricane Stadium. With the three-game sweep, GSW has now won six straight games against USC Beaufort and improves to 7-4 overall (2-0 PBC).
After Friday's run-rule opener, Saturday required a little more grit. The Hurricanes answered every challenge — and delivered when it mattered most.
Top Performers of the Day
- Caleb Gipson: 4-for-9, 2 RBI, 2B
- Drake Harman: 3-for-6, 3 runs, RBI, 4 walks, 2 stolen bases
- Devon Murphy: 3-for-7, 2 runs, 2B, 3 walks, 2 stolen bases
- Drew Reaves: 2-for-6, 3 RBI, 2 walks
- Derek Espinoza - Game 1 Win: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K
- Johnny Nutt - Game 2 Win 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K
Late-Inning Lightning
Game 1 unfolded as a back-and-forth battle.
The Hurricanes struck first on a sacrifice fly from
Josh McDonald in the opening inning and added another in the second when a wild pitch allowed a run to cross. But defensive miscues opened the door in the third and fourth, allowing the Sand Sharks to build a 5-4 lead.
Enter Espinoza.
The right-hander stabilized the game with 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief, allowing just three hits and striking out four. He quieted USC Beaufort's momentum and gave the offense time to reset.
That reset came in the eighth.
With the bases loaded and two outs, McDonald delivered the decisive blow — a three-run double to left center that flipped a one-run deficit into a 7-5 Hurricanes lead and ignited the Hurricane Stadium crowd.
Closer
Cooper Sain handled the ninth to secure the win and the series clinch.
Nutt in Command
If Game 1 required drama, Game 2 required control.
Nutt provided it.
The lefty worked seven strong innings, scattering three hits and allowing just one run. He induced weak contact all afternoon and consistently worked ahead in the count, keeping USC Beaufort from mounting any sustained threat.
After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth, the Hurricanes answered immediately. Gipson tied the game with an RBI double, and GSW took the lead for good in the fifth after manufacturing two runs — including a run-scoring fielder's choice and capitalizing on a defensive miscue.
The Hurricanes added insurance in the seventh and eighth. Gipson delivered another RBI knock, Harman singled home a run in the eighth, and Reaves lifted a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead to 6-1.
Rem Maxwell closed the final two innings scoreless to seal the sweep.
A Weekend Statement
Across three games, Georgia Southwestern combined timely hitting with aggressive baserunning and strong relief pitching. The Hurricanes drew 23 walks in Saturday's doubleheader alone and repeatedly forced USC Beaufort into defensive pressure situations.
It wasn't always clean — but it was resilient.
And by the end of Saturday afternoon, it was complete.
The Hurricanes not only opened Peach Belt Conference play with a sweep — they extended their mastery over the Sand Sharks and built momentum heading deeper into conference season.
Next Up
A midweek game at Valdosta State on Tuesday at 5 p.m. before returning home to host Georgia College & State University for a weekend PBC series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
