AIKEN, S.C. — Georgia Southwestern battled through a tense pitchers' duel Friday night, but host University of South Carolina Aiken rallied in the bottom of the 10th inning to claim a 3-2 victory in the opener of a three-game Peach Belt Conference series.
The loss dropped the Hurricanes to 14-10 overall and 7-3 in conference play, while the Pacers improved to 17-7 and matched Georgia Southwestern for second place in the PBC standings at 7-3.
Koehler Dominates on the Mound
GSW received another outstanding outing from
Evan Koehler, the reigning National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week.
The right-hander delivered eight strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 10 without issuing a walk. Koehler retired the side in order three times and consistently kept the Pacers' lineup off balance.
His only run allowed came in the sixth inning when Blake Martin delivered an RBI single to tie the game.
Hurricanes Strike First
The Hurricanes broke through in the sixth inning.
Devon Murphy started the rally with a double down the left-field line before advancing to third on
Evan Wainman's single through the left side. Murphy then scored on
Edwin Melendez's RBI groundout to give GSW a 1-0 lead.
USC Aiken answered in the bottom half of the inning when Martin's RBI single plated Evan Harding, knotting the game at 1-1.
Wainman Delivers in Extras
After neither team scored in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings, Georgia Southwestern regained the lead in the 10th.
With two outs,
Evan Wainman lined a double to right-center field that brought home
Tripp Helgeson and gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 advantage.
Wainman finished with two hits and the lone RBI hit of the night for GSW.
Pacers Rally Late
USCA answered quickly in the bottom of the 10th.
A pair of singles put two runners aboard before Blake Martin delivered another RBI single to tie the game. Moments later, Salvatore Laimo reached on a fielding error that allowed the winning run to score and gave the Pacers the walk-off victory.
Streaks Continue for Hurricanes
Several Hurricanes extended notable streaks during the contest.
Despite seeing his team-leading 14-game hitting streak come to an end,
Drake Harman reached base safely for the 15th consecutive game after drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch.
Kelsen Johnson and
Devon Murphy also continued their consistency at the plate, each reaching base safely for the 19th straight game.
Next Up
GSW looks to even the series Saturday at 2 p.m.
