Baseball Captures Game One Against Elon 7-6
3/27/2009 4:19:00 AM | Baseball
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Chris Mederos (Valdosta/Gordon College) worked six strong innings and the bullpen closed the door as Georgia Southern defeated Elon 7-6 Friday night (March 27) at J.I. Clements Stadium. The Eagles (18-5 overall, 4-1 Southern Conference) snapped a five-game losing streak to Elon.
The Phoenix (12-8, 6-4) got on the board in the second inning thanks to Justin Hilt's RBI double. The Eagles would respond and plate two in their half.
Eric Phillip (Carrollton/Carrollton) lined a one-out single. He took second on a groundout then scored on Jonathan King's (Athens, TN/Young Harris) double to right. Kevin Bowles (Statesboro/Statesboro) reached on an infield single, and when second baseman Zeth Stone's throw sailed past first, King was able to score.
Elon got a two-out, 2-run homer in the third inning from Pat Irvine to regain the lead, but a bout of wildness from Ken Ferrer helped the Eagles tie the score in their half.
Ty Wright (Montrose/ABAC) reached on a one-out infield single. A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, AL/Paul Bryant), Matt Miller (Canton/Woodstock) and Phillips walked on a combine 13 pitches to tie the score.
After Mederos pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning, the Eagles took the lead in their half. Bowles was hit by a pitch then Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) singled up the middle to start the frame. Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) ripped a 2-run double to right field for a 5-3 lead.
The Phoenix tied it in the fifth on a RBI double and a double steal attempt that was dragged out long enough for Chase Austin to score. But again, the Eagles responded with two more runs.
With the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth, Wirnsberger lifted a sacrifice fly. Benedict then scored on a wild pitch by Bobby Kennedy.
Elon got another run back in the seventh on a sacrifice fly but the bullpen closed the door. Charles Matthews (Athens/Spartanburg Methodist) got one strikeout in an inning of work. Dexter Bobo (Cumming/Darton College) worked a 1-2-3 eighth then got the first out of the ninth on a strikeout. Kyle Kamppi (Savannah/Benedictine) earned his fifth save when he fanned the final two Phoenix.
“Early on I wasn't feeling my fastball, but as the game rolled on I got more comfortable and hitting spots better. Our team came through tonight, I'd give up a five spot every time if it means we would win,” said Mederos. “Things get contagious with this team, one guy gets a hit and the others seem to keep it rolling, same with the pitching. Charles (Matthews), Dexter (Bobo) and Kyle (Kamppi) came in tonight, kept it going and got the win.”
Mederos improved to 6-0 on the year, matching a season-high eight strikeouts in six innings. He was charged for five runs on eight hits. The Eagle pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts.
Wright finished with three hits while Porter and Benedict added two each as the 2-4 hitters combined for seven hits.
Ferrer was charged for five runs (four earned) on eight hits in three innings. Jared Kernodle (0-3) suffered the loss when he was charged for two runs on one hit in 2.1 innings. The Phoenix hurlers gave up 10 hits but hit six Eagles and walked four more.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon (March 28) and will be televised live on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast.
