Darton State’s four run sixth tops Chargers, 5-2

Visiting Darton State took charge of a tight game Tuesday night with a four-run sixth inning to defeat Georgia Highlands College 5-2 at LakePoint in Emerson.

The game was the 2016 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams and opened a four-game series between the two clubs that continues this weekend in Albany.

Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning.

Zach McCrum, Daniel Gooden, and Jonathan White all singled to load the bases in the Chargers’ fourth inning. Drew Davis then grounded into a fielder’s choice, allowing McCrum to scored on the putout.

After the Cavaliers’ took a 5-1 lead, Georgia Highlands added an eighth inning run on a single, walk, and fielder’s choice, but that is as close as the Chargers would come.

Sam Goberdhan (6 IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 4K) was the winning pitcher for Darton State. Landon Crowder and Matt Harman led the Cavaliers with two hits each.

McCrum, who had two hits at the plate and scored a run, suffered the pitching loss. He worked 5 and 1/3 innings, allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits and four walks. McCrum recorded three strikeouts. Chris Morton (0.1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB) and Tanner Thomson (3.1 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 5K) also pitched.

Georgia Highlands (15-14 overall, 0-1 GCAA) travels to Darton State to complete the four-game conference series with a single game Friday and a doubleheader Saturday (March 18-19).