Bats Explode Again for Eagles, Defeat Columbia 22-8

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern’s bats exploded for the second time in the series against Columbia, defeating the Lions 22-8 to conclude the four-game series at J.I. Clements Stadium.

The Eagles (10-8 overall) registered 48 runs in their two wins, 56 throughout the series on 58 hits.

Justin Davis (Pulaski/Metter) made quick work of the Lions in the first inning, throwing just six pitches. Georgia Southern used the long ball to take a 2-0 lead in the third. Ty Wright (Montrose/West Laurens) and Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) hit back-to-back solo home runs, the third round-tripper on the season for each.

Columbia came right back to score four runs and batted around in its half of the fourth. The Lions loaded the bases again, but Davis recorded a strikeout then Jeremy Beckham (Griffin/Griffin) made a diving over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field for the final out.

The Eagles took the lead for good in their half of the inning sending 14 batters to the plate during the 10-run fourth. Will Southwell (Moultrie/Colquitt County), making his first start of the year, hit a RBI double. Beckham added a 2-run double down the left field line. Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg), who earlier in the day was named one of Collegiate Baseball’s ‘National Players of the Week’, drew a bases loaded walk.

Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) hit a sacrifice fly then two batters later Southwell added a 2-run single. A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, AL/Paul Bear Bryant) hit a 3-run shot during the next at-bat.

Shehan lined a 2-run double in the fifth then Benedict followed with a RBI triple, his second career triple. Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton) added a RBI single to extend the lead to 16-4.

David Richardson (Dahlonega/Lumpkin County) hit another pinch-hit home run, his second such HR in as many appearances, accounting for both runs in the sixth inning.

The Eagles scored four more times in the eighth. Chris Banker (Martinez/Lakeside) lined a RBI single. Wirnsberger hit a RBI double then Jake Ware (Statesboro/Statesboro) followed with a 2-run double. Columbia scored four times in the ninth, three coming off an error with two outs, for the final margin.

“We didn’t play very well as a team yesterday (in the loss). So to come back today and get good pitching and good hitting was the all-around great effort we needed. This will certainly help us tomorrow heading into the Mercer game and I also think into this weekend against Western (Carolina),” said Southwell. “I felt great at the plate. I got some good fastball to hit and I just tried to take advantage of that. Today I was hitting in the six hole and had some great hitters all around me.”

Southwell matched his career-high of three hits (in four at-bats), three runs scored and three RBI.

Seven Eagles in all had a multi-hit game. Wirnsberger matched Southwell with three hits while scoring three times and recording four RBI.

Davis (1-1) earned his first collegiate win. He gave up four runs while limiting the Lions to four hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out three. Columbia had recorded 54 hits during the first three games of the series before Davis held them to the four over six frames.

A.J. Gilbert (Marietta/Kell) struck out the side during a scoreless eighth inning.

Dan Bracey (0-2) suffered the loss. He allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in three innings. Henry Perkins had two of the Lions (2-10) six hits.

Category: Baseball

Published on Monday, 17 March 2008 00:13