STATESBORO, Ga. ? The Presbyterian College baseball
team kept things close for the first portion of the game, but the team was
unable to answer Georgia Southern in the late innings, eventually falling by a
7-1 score Friday evening.
The Blue Hose are 0-1 on the season while the Eagles are 1-0.
Trailing 3-0 entering the fifth frame, sophomore catcher Nate Horton strode to
the plate with one away. He took an offering from the Eagles' pitcher to straight-away
center field. The ball cleared the wall for what turned out to be PC's lone run
of the contest.
The host squad picked up a run in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the
eighth to secure the victory.
The Blue Hose had chances throughout the game, but were
unable to convert. In the third, Horton got things going by leading off with a
single to center field. Rookie Gabe Grammer followed him up by slapping a
single to right, pushing Horton to second. Fellow newcomer Bobby Cole reached
on a fielder's choice on a ball hit to the pitcher. However, Horton was erased
as he went to third on the play.
With runners at first and second, Grammer went in motion but was picked off.
With two outs, Andrew Williams struck out, ending the inning.
In the eighth, Cole led it off with a single to center. He was then erased as
Williams grounded into a double play, which proved costly.
With two away, Zac Rhinesmith singled to right. Then, Cory Lyda was hit by a
pitch before Drew Wingo grounded into a fielder's choice, ending the frame.
Horton, who started as the designated hitter, led the team
by going two-for-three with a run scored and an RBI. Rhinesmith, Wingo and
Grammer each contributed a hit while Cole had two for head coach Elton Pollock's
team.
Junior Jesse Harmon started the game and tossed 4.1 innings,
eventually suffering the loss. He gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits
while walking two and striking out five. Mitchell Odom worked 2.2 innings of
relief, giving up two runs on two hits. He also struck out one.
Chris Hale and Jordan Pace combined to pitch the eighth
inning.
The Blue Hose return to action tomorrow at 1:30 p.m., against the Eagles.
PC will look to even the series before Sunday's series finale at 1:30.
