FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu 

SGC splits double-header with Middle Georgia

After poor weather forced postponing a double-header with the Middle Georgia College Warriors twice over the weekend, the South Georgia College Tigers finally took the field Monday afternoon in Cochran to finish the first conference series of the season. 

            The series began Thursday with the Tigers suffering a 9-5 loss to the Warriors. SGC rebounded in game one of Monday’s twin-billing, winning 11-5. Game two was a close one, and was as sound a game as the Tigers have played all season. However, they came up on the short end, losing 2-1 despite a solid pitching performance from starter Jamaal Smith. 

            Despite struggling a bit with his change-up, game one starter Ryan Whiddon (2-1, 4.40 ERA) had a good outing. He lasted 6 1/3 innings, and struck out nine while walking seven. He gave up five runs, none of which were earned. 

            Designated hitter Lee Hall (4 for 4 with a walk), and centerfielder Zach Kilday and second baseman Stuart Drew (both 3 for 5 with a walk) led the Tigers’ offensive attack. SGC’s big inning came in the top of the sixth. The game was tied 3-3 when the Tigers broke things open with six runs on three hits and a pair of Middle Georgia errors. Hall had two singles in that inning alone. Middle Georgia scored two in the two in the seventh to get within four runs. Then the Tigers plated two more runs in the eighth to pull ahead 11-5.  

            Whiddon got the win while reliever Greg Fietsam (1) earned the save. Kilday and Hall also had a pair of RBI. 

            Game two saw Smith (2-2, 2.29 ERA) throw what might have been his best game against a very good opponent. He went the distance, and allowed two earned runs to score on seven hits. Smith pitched well enough to win, and had some help with his supporting cast (SGC committed just one benign error in the bottom of the sixth). 

            In the first inning, the Warriors scored a run on two doubles. SGC’s bats were quiet until the top of the fourth. Drew led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and then advanced to third on a balk by MGC starter Bryan Blough. Brandon Collins then grounded to the pitcher’s mound but reached first safely, allowing Drew to score the tying run.
            The Warriors pulled ahead in the sixth on a two-out solo home run by third baseman Jonathan Hester. SGC had a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh. Cole Anderson, who was pinch running for Collins, advanced to third with one out after a sacrifice bunt by Hall and a stolen base. But the Tigers were unable to bring him in, and the game went to the Warriors 2-1. Kilday, Drew, Collins and Corey Meharg each had one hit for SGC.

            The Tigers are 9-11 on the season, and 1-2 in conference play. They played a double-header against Lake Michigan Community College in Douglas Tuesday afternoon; results were unavailable at press time. Thursday, conference play continues when Darton comes to town for a 5 p.m. start. Darton returns for a 2 p.m. double-header Saturday.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.