Box Score | Wirsu Interview

DAVIDSON, N.C. - Josh Wirsu tossed a season-high seven innings and struck out a team-best 13 batters as the Georgia Southern Eagles evened the three-game series with a 7-5 win over the Davidson Wildcats at Wilson Field on Saturday.

Georgia Southern (20-8, 4-4 SoCon) picked up their 20th victory of the season and bounced back from a series opening 5-2 loss on Friday night. Kody Adams, who extended his reached base streak to 10 games, led GSU with three hits. Five different Eagles tallied multi-hit games and seven of the nine starts recorded at least one base hit.

Wirsu settled in after allowing three runs over the first three innings and retired 10-straight batters starting in the fourth inning. Wirsu (5-2) picked up the win en route to becoming just the second Eagle to strike out 10 or more batters this season. The junior righthander bested the previous team high of 12 punch outs set by Sam Howard against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 21. Wirsu allowed three runs – two earned – on four hits and three walks.

"I was really feeling my fastball and was able to throw it for strikes. The slider complimented my fastball and they started complimenting each other as I was getting deeper into the game," Wirsu said. 

Ryan Cleveland broke open a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning with a RBI double. Cleveland dropped a ball into the left centerfield gap to score Aaron Mizell, who was hit by a pitch before stealing second base. 

Cleveland, who extended his hit streak to six games, later capped off the Eagles' scoring with his fourth home run of the season in the eighth inning. The freshman first baseman hit a solo shot that bounced off of a pine tree in right field to put the Eagles ahead 7-3. 

Davidson (15-8, 6-2 SoCon) got the run back in the bottom of the eighth inning on a solo home run from Forrest Brandt. 

The Wildcats pulled within two runs in the ninth inning on a pinch-hit single from Brian Fortier and threatened to tie the game with runners on first and second base. 

Jason Richman struck out Andrew Pope and coaxed a ground ball to third base to end the threat and the game. Richman (1) worked a full inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits to earn his first career save.

"I was confident in my defense. I am glad that we pulled out a W tonight and got what we needed to do done," Wirsu said.

Danny Mooney suffered the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits. Mooney (3-3) struck out eight batters and walked two over 5.2 innings.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after a pair of walks scored on a Ryan Lowe single and a Sam Foy sacrifice fly.

GSU tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning on Garrett Chapman's two-RBI double off the wall in left field. 

Chase Griffin put the Eagles ahead 3-2 in the third inning with a RBI single that dropped in right field. Davidson quickly tied the game in the bottom half of the frame on an error by the shortstop Dalton Busby.

The same two teams will meet tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the deciding game of the series. Eric Alonzo is scheduled to make his first weekend start for the Eagles. Davidson will counter with Nick Neitzel.

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.

Notes: The 2014 Eagles reached 20 victories faster than any team since 2009... After being held to just six hits in the series opener, the Eagles bounced back with 13 hits... GSU has 10 or more hits in four of their six games... The Eagles tallied three doubles, the most since the Eagles tallied four doubles in the series opener against Appalachian State on March 21st... GSU drew six walks, the most since March 19th against Clemson... The Eagles stole four bases, the most in 12 games... GSU allowed seven hits the fewest in four games... The pitching staff tied a season high with 17 strikeouts... Kody Adams extended his reached base streak to 10 games and his hit streak to five games with a single in the second inning... Ryan Cleveland now has a hit in his last six games after hitting a double and a home run... Garrett Chapman now leads the team with 12 multi-hit games after going two for four with three RBI... Josh Wirsu set new career-highs of seven innings and 13 strikeouts... Wirsu is the second Eagle to strike out 10 or more batters this season... Aaron Palmer has two hits in each of his last three games and is hitting .583 (7 for 12) in his last four games.