????Eagles Fall in Extra Innings to The Citadel
4/14/2013 12:59:10 AM | Baseball
Box Score | Video: Post Game with Coach Hennon
STATESBORO, Ga. - Mason Davis scored the game's only run on a single by Joe Jackson in the 11th inning to help The Citadel Bulldogs slip past the Georgia Southern Eagles 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Justin Hess gave Georgia Southern (21-13, 10-7 SoCon) nine strong innings but left with a no decision after the contest remained scoreless through the regulation nine innings. Hess faced just three over the minimum in a career-long outing and struck out a season-high nine batters. The senior righthander got help from his defense, who turned three double plays including one in the ninth inning.
Reliever Kyle Rowe worked around a one-out double in the 10th inning and quickly retired the first two batters in the 11th inning. However, Davis followed with a single to center field. After Rowe walked Hughston Armstrong, Jackson dropped a base hit in front of the left fielder Scooter Williams. Davis, running all the way, scored from second base.
The Eagles lead off hitter in the bottom half of the frame, Garren Palmer, was hit by a pitch. Palmer quickly stole second base, but reliever Skylar Hunter (S, 4) struck out the next three hitters to leave him stranded. Hunter's save handed David Rivera (4-2), who pitched a scoreless 10th inning, his fourth win of the season.
The Citadel (19-17, 8-6 SoCon) starter Logan Cribb held Georgia Southern to two hits and matched Hess through 5.2 innings. Cribb struck out seven and walked two batters.
Williams led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk, one of two on the day for the senior, but was caught stealing after being picked off first base. Tyler Avera singled to start the third inning, but Cribb struck out two and recorded a fly out to end the threat.
In the top half of the frame, Hess worked around a lead off walk and a one-out single. The senior righthander struck out Davis for the second out of the inning and drew a fly out to left field to retire the side.
Chase Griffin was the first for either side to reach third base. Griffin reached on a lead off error by the shortstop and made his way to third after two ground outs. Cribb left the runner stranded in scoring position after coaxing a pop out.
Cribb's final inning began with a lead off walk of Williams. Cribb struck out Griffin for the second out of the inning, and reliever Zach Sherrill got a ground out to end the frame.
Baseball concludes the three-game SoCon series against The Citadel at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Freshman lefthander Jason Richman will make the start on the mound. The Bulldogs will counter with Austin Mason.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its new "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.
