Eagles Survive Rally, Advances to SoCon Title Game
5/26/2012 9:24:04 AM | Baseball
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Leading 8-1 going into the seventh inning, the Georgia Southern Baseball team survived a scare from Elon and had to hold on to win 10-7 to advance to their 10th Southern Conference Tournament title game since joining the league in 1992. The title game appearance will be the third in four years for the Eagles.
"Their kids fought hard right to the very end," said Head Coach Rodney Hennon. "I'm awfully proud of our team. Our kids did a good job of keeping their poise."
Georgia Southern (33-26) has tallied 37 runs in three SoCon Tournament games after adding 10 runs to their total today. The Eagles added two runs to their one-run lead in the eighth inning after a triple by Chase Griffin (Leesburg, Ga.) plated a lead off single by Eric Phillips(Carrollton, Ga.). Garren Palmer (Dalton, Ga.) plated Griffin in the next at-bat with a single through a drawn-in infield.
Elon (33-26) erased a seven-run lead and struck for six runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull within one run, 8-7. The Phoenix had both the tying run at third base and the winning run at second base when Kyle Rowe(Valdosta, Ga.) entered the game from the bullpen.
Rowe (S, 6) recorded the final two outs in the frame to leave both runners stranded. The junior right-hander retired all eight batters he faced in 2.2 innings and struck out three, including the final two batters in the ninth inning for the save.
The game started with a match up between brothers of former Davidson teammates Thomas Middour and Matt Webb. Thomas' brother Will Middour (Atlanta, Ga.) got the better of Matt's brother Kyle Webb in his first career start against Elon after allowing just one earned run in six frames. Middour (3-3) gave up just five hits and struck out four batters to earn his first victory since April 22nd.
"It just sets the tone for the game when the pitchers go out and pitch well," said catcher Chase Griffin. "It's contagious. When the pitchers do well, the hitters want to do well too."
Webb (4-4) got the better of the Eagles in the regular season opener but was tagged for six runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings. The junior right-hander got off to a rocky start after walking Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.) to lead off the ball game. Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) and Garren Palmer (Dalton, Ga.) followed with back-to-back singles to drive in a first inning run.
Webb held Georgia Southern to two runs on five hits through the first four innings but was chased from the game in the fifth inning after allowing five consecutive base runners to reach base. Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) delivered the big blow in the fifth inning with a two-RBI single. Tyler Avera (Baxley, Ga.) followed Burruss with one of his three hits in the game and plated the fourth run through a drawn-in infield.
Middour allowed a lead off single to Quinn Bower to start the bottom of the first but after picking him off, he held the Phoenix in check for the first three innings. The sophomore right-hander allowed just his third single of the game in the fourth inning, but it led to a run after an error moved Alex Swim to third base. A fly ball off the bat of Ryan Kinsella plated the runner.
The Eagles will play in their seventh SoCon Tournament title game under Head Coach Rodney Hennon tomorrow at 2 p.m. on ESPN3. Chris Beck (Jefferson, Ga.) will take the mound for his second career title game start and carries with him a 3-0 record and a 0.75 ERA in three career SoCon Tournament starts.
All baseball games this season can be heard on the Boomer 103.7 FM. Ryan Chambers will have the call on Saturday and will be joined by former minor league pitcher Kris Draper in the radio booth. Audio for all games is also available on the web at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/Eaglevision.
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