Jordan Smith Shuts Out Eagles in Series Opener
5/11/2012 7:34:53 AM | Baseball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Behind a complete game effort from starter Jordan Smith, the Western Carolina Catamounts shut out the Georgia Southern Baseball team in the opener of the three-game Southern Conference series at J.I. Clements Stadium on Friday night.
Smith (4-4) allowed just five hits over 9 innings and walked his lone batter in the eighth inning. The sophomore right-hander allowed seven base runners and faced just five batters over the minimum. The Eagles did get two back-to-back hits in the seventh inning but came up scoreless after Zac Lenns (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) was caught stealing for the second out of the frame and T.D. Davis (Evans, Ga.) was left stranded at first base.
Georgia Southern (26-24, 12-13) found themselves behind early after starter Chris Beck (Jefferson, Ga.) allowed two runs in the first inning and a slow start offensively did not help matters. The Eagles went hitless until a Hunter Thomas(Johns Creek, Ga.) two-out single in the third inning.
The first five batters reached base to start the first frame for Western Carolina (30-18, 14-11) following a full-count lead off single from Aaron Attaway. After a fielder's choice cut down a runner at third base, Tyler White struck for the first run of the game on a single through the left side of the defense. White was later thrown out by Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) after trying to advance to third base on Jacob Hoyle's RBI single.
Beck (4-7) was unable to bounce back from the two-run second inning but allowed just one more run despite giving up 10 hits on the day. The junior right-hander lasted just 4.1 innings, his shortest outing since May 19, 2011 at Appalachian State, after his pitch count quickly piled up. Beck tossed 91 pitches on the day after walking three batters to just three strikeouts.
The Eagles had two runs on the scoreboard for a moment in the sixth inning after a ball off the bat of Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.) was originally ruled by the home plate umpire to be a home run. After a huddle by the umpires the call was overturned and changed to a foul ball. Williams would eventually strike out, and a lead-off single by Thomas was left stranded.
Smith allowed a lead off single to Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) start the ninth inning but coaxed a double play from Lenns to end the game.
Western Carolina added to their early two-run lead with single runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Lead off base hits from Bryant Noteboom in the fourth and Cody Jones both turned into insurance runs. Jones provided the RBI in the top of the fourth with a two-out single and scored in the sixth on a two-out double from Hoyle.
The three-game series continues tomorrow at J.I. Clements Stadium following spring commencement at 2:30 p.m. Justin Hess (3-3, 4.82) will look to bounce back from a loss to Samford last Saturday and will square off with Morgan McKinney (6-2, 3.50).
All baseball games this season can be heard on the Boomer 103.7 FM and inside J.I. Clements Stadium on 88.1 FM. Audio for all games is also available on the web and subscription video is available for all home games at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/Eaglevision.
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