HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - Mitchell Gross' quality start and
Ben Johnson's great relief showing helped earn the Georgia Southern baseball team a series win over Marshall on Saturday afternoon, 6-1.
Georgia Southern (20-19, 10-7 SBC) got on the board in the top of the second inning with a trio of two-out hits, first from
Sam Blancato who knocked an RBI-single to right field to score
Kyler Hultgren, then an RBI-single
Jesse Sherrill who brought home Blancato, and finally
Jarrett Brown scored Sherrill with an RBI-double down the fight field line, his 12th RBI of the week. The Eagles would add another run in the top of the third inning with
Blake Evans' fourth home run this season, blasting one to right center and taking a 4-0 lead.
Georgia Soutnern's fifth run came from a Blancato sacrifice bunt in the top of the sixth inning, plating
JP Tighe and taking a 5-0 lead over Marshall (15-22, 4-13 SBC). The Thundering Herd would get on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo homer, but the Eagles would regain a five-run lead with a Ledford RBI-single through the left side, plating Sherrill and taking a 6-1 lead, which would become the eventual final score.
Mitchell Gross made his second start of the season and pitched a gem, throwing for seven scoreless innings (a career-high) with only four hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts (also a career-high), all in just 84 pitches.
Ben Johnson guided the Eagles through the final two innings with only one hit, one run, and four strikeouts of his own, giving the Blue and White 12 stikeouts on the day on 29 pitches. The combined 113 pitches showcased a very efficient Eagles pitching staff for the day.
QUICK HITS
- Noah Ledford now has nine-straight games with an RBI.
- Kyler Hultgren led the offense as the only Eagle with multiple hits today.
- Jarrett Brown's RBI-double in the top of the second inning gave him his 12th RBI this week.
- 83 of the 113 (73%) combined pitches from the Eagles today were strikes.
- Georgia Southern is now 3-3 all-time on the road against Marshall.
UP NEXT
The Eagles look to sweep its second conference opponent this season on Sunday, April 23. First pitch from Huntington is set for 1 p.m.