Wirnsberger Homers Twice but Eagles Lose
4/2/2008 4:24:00 AM | Baseball
STATESBORO,
Kennesaw put its leadoff runner aboard to start the game then Bucky Smith followed with his first home run of the season, matching his season RBI total. KSU did the same thing in the third, this time Jay Morrow hit the 2-run homer for a 4-0 advantage.
Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) hit a leadoff double in the third. He advanced to third on Chris Shehan's (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) single then scored on a RBI groundout from Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius).
Shehan hammered his team-leading 10th home run in the fifth, a solo shot to start the frame and cut the deficit to 6-3.
Ric Bishop hit a solo homer in the seventh. The Eagles got two runs back in their half when Wirnsberger hit a shot into the trees in left field. His home run also extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
GS missed an opportunity in the eighth. Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell) and the Eagles thought he hit a leadoff double, a shot down the left field line that looked to have brought up chalk, but was ruled a foul ball by the third base umpire. He grounded out, but then Beckham reached on an error for the second time. Wright singled then two batters later Shehan walked to load the bases. Michael Bohana got Benedict on a flyball to end the threat.
The Owls (12-16) loaded the bases in the ninth with one out. Charlie Strohecker (Alpharetta/Milton) got a ground ball from Josh Whitaker. It took a high hop to Wirnsberger back behind third base, but the sophomore rifled a shot home just in time for the force out. Strohecker got another force out to keep the Owls in check.
Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton) followed Wirnsberger's home run with a single to left. However, Bohana picked up a pair of strikeouts and force out to end the game.
Wirnsberger finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. It was the second time in his career he hit two homers in a game. He now ranks second on the team with nine round-trippers.
Shehan and Benedict added three hits apiece as the 3-4-5 hitters combined for eight of the team's 14 hits. Justin Davis (Pulaski/Metter) suffered the loss, falling to 1-3. He allowed two runs on five hits in 1.1 innings.
Burt Barto (Columbus/Columbus) gave up one run on one hit in three innings. He struck out three. Tony Chisman (Conyers/Salem) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. Trent Franzago (Byron/Peach County), making his first appearance since opening day, gave up one earned run in an inning of work.
Ryan Rodebaugh (1-0) earned the win allowing two runs on five hits in three innings. Bohana picked up his fourth save. Bishop had three hits to lead the Owls.
