Chargers lose series opener with Gordon State

Georgia Highlands College lost the opener of a four-game series with Gordon State College Tuesday night at LakePoint, 16-8.

The visiting Highlanders struck for eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined to grab an early 8-0 lead, but the Chargers did not go away.

GHC responded with a seven-run sixth inning to cut the lead to 8-7, but that would be as close as the Chargers would come.

Gordon State added four runs in the seventh inning and four more in the ninth to put the game away. The Chargers added a final run in the eighth.

The middle of the Highlanders’ order did the bulk of the damage for Gordon State.

Aubrey McCarty, Ty Hobbs, and Ryan Young combined for eight hits that included a pair of homers, four doubles, and nine RBI.

GHC starting pitcher, Daniel Gooden, suffered the pitching loss and was lifted after 4 and 1/3 innings. The Chargers also used Jack McClure, Nick Constan, Dalton Isley, Chris Morton, Sean Wilson, and Bradley Hood in relief.

The Georgia Highlands’ offense produced thirteen hits.

Jonathan White had three hits. Brandon Bell (3 RBI), Brandon Etheridge, Nick Fink, and Mitch Burger (RBI) finished with two hits each. Devin Bilardello (RBI) and Zach McCrum had the other Chargers’ safeties. Joel Munoz added one RBI.

With their win, Gordon State (25-24 overall) moves into sole possesion of fourth place in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings with a 10-11 conference mark.

Georgia Highlands (24-25, 9-12) continues the series in Barnesville with a single game Thursday afternoon and a doubleheader on Saturday.