Box Score | Video: Post-Game with Coach Hennon and Kyle Rowe
STATESBORO, Ga. - Sophomore left-hander Sam Howard threw a career-high seven innings and Georgia Southern struck for two runs in the first inning to win 3-2 and even the series against the #29 Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia Southern (1-1) picked up their first win of the year in front of the third-largest crowd in J.I. Clements Stadium history. The 3,098 in attendance moved the weekend attendance total up to 6,201, breaking the previous three-game series record of 6,049 set at the Holiday Inn Eagle Invitational in 2009.
“I am really proud of the way our guys responded,” Hennon said. “Sam Howard gave us a tremendous effort on the mound, and we got another good effort from Myers out of the bullpen today.”
Howard (W, 1-0), making his first career weekend start, limited Georgia (1-1) to five hits and one unearned run while striking out a career-best seven batters. Howard worked around two lead off singles and a lead off double and struck out five batters from the fourth to the sixth inning.
Kyle Rowe (S, 1) followed a scoreless frame by Chris Myers and recorded two first pitch outs before allowing a first pitch home run to Daniel Nichols. Rowe bounced back after the solo shot to coax a fly out from Brett DeLoach to seal the one-run win.
“We had the two-run lead but we were still in control. He did a good job of keeping us poised and continued to put the ball over the plate to get the final out,” Hennon said about his senior closer.
Scooter Williams and T.D. Davis combined for four of the Eagles' five hits, while Ben Morgan scored two runs and walked twice. Nelson Ward added two more hits and walked once for the Bulldogs, while Daniel Nichols recorded two hits and drove in a run.
The Eagles struck for two runs in the bottom of the first and took an early lead for a second-straight day. Williams led off with a double and stole third base before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Chase Griffin. Davis followed with a RBI double to score Morgan, who reached on an infield error.
After Georgia got a run back on an error by the second baseman Brent Pugh in the second inning, Georgia Southern struck for what proved to be the game-winning run in the third inning. Morgan led off the frame with a walk and stole second base before moving to third on a Davis single. Appearing in his first game since June 4, 2011, pinch-hitter Arthur Owens drove in Morgan with a sacrifice fly to center field.
“We were a little better today with runners in scoring position,” Hennon said. “I thought our guys were a little more relaxed and didn't press in those situations.”
Georgia Southern will send freshman left-hander Jason Richman to the mound Sunday, while Georgia will counter with Luke Crumley. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. and the game can be heard on the Georgia Southern Radio Network.
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