STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Baseball team (13-9) broke open a 2-2 tie with a six-run eighth inning to defeat the Atlantic Sun's top team, Kennesaw State (14-9), 8-2. Andy Moye (Alpharetta, Ga.) knocked out three hits, including two in the eighth inning, and reached in all but one plate appearance. The senior captain was also crucial in scoring the tying run in the sixth inning. Moye got caught in a rundown and forced an error to allow Steve Cochrane (Mooresville, N.C.) to score.
Georgia Southern batted around in the eighth inning and scored six runs on six hits to break open a 2-2 tie. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases after a long fly out by Victor Roache (Ypsilanti, Mich.) started the inning. Andrew Austin struck out the first batter he faced for the second out but six consecutive hitters reached base to score the six runs.
The Eagles scored the first run of the game, but fell behind 2-1 in the second inning and trailed until the sixth. Justin Hess (Panama City, Fla.), who ran his consecutive-scoreless innings streak to 11.1, allowed Georgia Southern to get back in the game by scattering six hits over five innings. Hess struck out five batters, allowed no walks and threw 84 pitches in relief of Josh Adams (Bath, S.C.). Adams started the game for GSU and allowed two unearned runs on a single hit in the first two innings.
Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) and Cochrane both extended their streaks late in the game. Phillips reached 15-straight games with a hit after dropping a bunt single past the pitcher's mound in the eighth inning. Cochrane has reached base in every game this season after a base hit in the sixth and a walk in the eighth. The senior first baseman drove in the first run of the game with on a sacrifice fly and plated a run in the eighth inning with a bases loaded walk.
Georgia Southern took advantage of a Kennesaw State error in the first inning to score the first run. Shawn Payne (Stone Mountain, Ga.) moved back to the leadoff spot in the batting order and singled on his first at-bat and then promptly stole second base. The senior outfielder scored on what should have been the third out of the inning but an error allowing Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) to reach earlier in the inning came back to cost the Owls.
Kennesaw took advantage of a two-out error in the second inning to score two unearned runs. A double by Drew Fowlkes and a walk by Peyton Hart came around to score on a ground out that got by the shortstop and rolled into the outfield.
Alan Busenitz was tagged with his second loss of the season after three of his runs for which he was responsible to score in the eighth inning. Busenitz lasted 1.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and three runs while striking out two batters. Travis Dean pitched well for the Owls, but received a no decision after leaving the game with a 2-1 lead. The freshman had one of his better outings on the season after allowing two unearned runs on three hits.
Georgia Southern hits the road for the next four games and will play at the College of Charleston this weekend. First pitch in the Southern Conference series is set for 6 p.m. at Patriot's Point. The Eagles will return following a Tuesday trip to Jacksonville to face The Citadel in a weekend series starting Friday, April 1st.
To order baseball tickets for upcoming games, call the Georgia Southern Athletic Ticket Office at 800-GSU-WINS. Single games tickets are available at the gate for $8 for adults and $4 for youth (3-12).
All games can be heard on Eagle 102.9 FM in Statesboro and are also available online at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/Eaglevision beginning 30 minutes prior to first pitch. Ryan Chambers of the Georgia Southern Radio Network will call all the action.
Fans may follow Georgia Southern Baseball by visiting GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/baseball or check in at twitter.com/GSAthletics or facebook.com/GSAthletics for short updates.
