ATLANTA — Justin Davis (Pulaski/Metter) pitched brilliantly in his first collegiate start, but a two-out base hit in the bottom of the 10th inning was the game winner as Georgia Southern dropped a 1-0 decision at 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech Wednesday. The Eagles fell to 1-4 overall while Tech improved to 5-0.
Jason Hanigar started the 10th inning with a single off Kyle Kamppi (Savannah/Benedictine). Jeff Rowland dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner, but Kamppi fanned Patrick Long for the second out. Kamppi went ahead 1-2 on Charlie Blackmon, but the junior designated hitter lifted a shallow flyball to left centerfield. Jonathan King (Athens, TN/McMinn County) made a hard charge on the ball and appeared to make a diving catch, but the ball popped loose when he fell and rolled to the ground.
The Eagles had several opportunities to plate a run, the latest coming in the 10th. Kyle Blackburn (Marietta/Walton) went opposite field on a shot that left fielder Chris House lost in the lights and fell in for a double. The Eagles could not advance the runner on a sacrifice bunt. Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on and only one out. Brad Rulon (2-0) got out of the jam following a groundout and fielder’s choice.
Georgia Southern stranded seven of its 14 runners through the first three innings. Tech threatened in the third, loading the bases. Davis struck out Long and got Luke Murton on a groundout to third baseman A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, AL/Paul Bear Bryant) to end the threat.
Davis worked out of another jam in the sixth inning. Murton drew a one-out walk. With a hit-and-run on Tony Plagman lifted a short fly to Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) in right field. Shehan had plenty of time for a throw to Parker at first base for an inning-ending double play.
Davis struck out eight in six innings of work. The redshirt-freshman right-hander gave up three hits and walked two. Blake Nation (Brooks/Starr’s Mill) set career-highs in another impressive relief appearance, striking out five in 2.2 innings of work. Kamppi (0-1) was officially charged for one run on two hits in one inning, striking out one.
The GS pitching staff fanned a season-high 14 batters while allowing just three walks. Matt Miller (Canton/Woodstock) was 2-for-3, including his team-leading fourth double to start the game. Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell), Parker, King and Blackburn accounted for the other four hits.
Tech out-hit the Eagles 7-6 as seven different Yellow Jackets recorded a hit. Starter Brandon Crumpton gave up two hits, walked five and struck out four in four innings.
The Eagles return home this weekend for a three-game series against Towson. Friday night’s first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Jason Hanigar started the 10th inning with a single off Kyle Kamppi (Savannah/Benedictine). Jeff Rowland dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner, but Kamppi fanned Patrick Long for the second out. Kamppi went ahead 1-2 on Charlie Blackmon, but the junior designated hitter lifted a shallow flyball to left centerfield. Jonathan King (Athens, TN/McMinn County) made a hard charge on the ball and appeared to make a diving catch, but the ball popped loose when he fell and rolled to the ground.
The Eagles had several opportunities to plate a run, the latest coming in the 10th. Kyle Blackburn (Marietta/Walton) went opposite field on a shot that left fielder Chris House lost in the lights and fell in for a double. The Eagles could not advance the runner on a sacrifice bunt. Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on and only one out. Brad Rulon (2-0) got out of the jam following a groundout and fielder’s choice.
Georgia Southern stranded seven of its 14 runners through the first three innings. Tech threatened in the third, loading the bases. Davis struck out Long and got Luke Murton on a groundout to third baseman A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, AL/Paul Bear Bryant) to end the threat.
Davis worked out of another jam in the sixth inning. Murton drew a one-out walk. With a hit-and-run on Tony Plagman lifted a short fly to Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) in right field. Shehan had plenty of time for a throw to Parker at first base for an inning-ending double play.
Davis struck out eight in six innings of work. The redshirt-freshman right-hander gave up three hits and walked two. Blake Nation (Brooks/Starr’s Mill) set career-highs in another impressive relief appearance, striking out five in 2.2 innings of work. Kamppi (0-1) was officially charged for one run on two hits in one inning, striking out one.
The GS pitching staff fanned a season-high 14 batters while allowing just three walks. Matt Miller (Canton/Woodstock) was 2-for-3, including his team-leading fourth double to start the game. Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell), Parker, King and Blackburn accounted for the other four hits.
Tech out-hit the Eagles 7-6 as seven different Yellow Jackets recorded a hit. Starter Brandon Crumpton gave up two hits, walked five and struck out four in four innings.
The Eagles return home this weekend for a three-game series against Towson. Friday night’s first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
