Georgia Southern’s bats exploded for the second time in the series against Columbia, as the Eagles knocked off the Lions 22-8 to conclude the four-game series at J.I. Clements Stadium.
The Eagles (10-8) registered 48 runs in their two wins — 56 throughout the series — on 58 hits.
Justin Davis made quick work of the Lions in the first inning, throwing just six pitches. Georgia Southern used the long ball to take a 2-0 lead in the third. Ty Wright and Phillip Porter hit back-to-back solo home runs, the third round-tripper on the season for each. Columbia came right back to score four runs and batted around in its half of the fourth. The Lions loaded the bases again, but Davis recorded a strikeout then Jeremy Beckham made a diving over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field for the final out.
The Eagles took the lead for good in their half of the inning sending 14 batters to the plate during the 10-run fourth.
The Eagles scored four more times in the eighth. Chris Banker lined a RBI single. Wirnsberger hit a RBI double then Jake Ware followed with a 2-run double. Columbia scored four times in the ninth, three coming off an error with two outs, for the final margin.
“We didn’t play very well as a team yesterday (in the loss). So to come back today and get good pitching and good hitting was the all-around great effort we needed. This will certainly help us tomorrow heading into the Mercer game and I also think into this weekend against Western (Carolina),” said Southwell. “I felt great at the plate. I got some good fastball to hit and I just tried to take advantage of that. Today I was hitting in the six hole and had some great hitters all around me.”
Davis (1-1) earned his first collegiate win. He gave up four runs while limiting the Lions to four hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out three. Columbia had recorded 54 hits during the first three games of the series before Davis held them to the four over six frames.
The Eagles wrap up their stretch of five games in five consecutive days, traveling to Mercer Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Eagles (10-8) registered 48 runs in their two wins — 56 throughout the series — on 58 hits.
Justin Davis made quick work of the Lions in the first inning, throwing just six pitches. Georgia Southern used the long ball to take a 2-0 lead in the third. Ty Wright and Phillip Porter hit back-to-back solo home runs, the third round-tripper on the season for each. Columbia came right back to score four runs and batted around in its half of the fourth. The Lions loaded the bases again, but Davis recorded a strikeout then Jeremy Beckham made a diving over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field for the final out.
The Eagles took the lead for good in their half of the inning sending 14 batters to the plate during the 10-run fourth.
The Eagles scored four more times in the eighth. Chris Banker lined a RBI single. Wirnsberger hit a RBI double then Jake Ware followed with a 2-run double. Columbia scored four times in the ninth, three coming off an error with two outs, for the final margin.
“We didn’t play very well as a team yesterday (in the loss). So to come back today and get good pitching and good hitting was the all-around great effort we needed. This will certainly help us tomorrow heading into the Mercer game and I also think into this weekend against Western (Carolina),” said Southwell. “I felt great at the plate. I got some good fastball to hit and I just tried to take advantage of that. Today I was hitting in the six hole and had some great hitters all around me.”
Davis (1-1) earned his first collegiate win. He gave up four runs while limiting the Lions to four hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out three. Columbia had recorded 54 hits during the first three games of the series before Davis held them to the four over six frames.
The Eagles wrap up their stretch of five games in five consecutive days, traveling to Mercer Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
