Chargers lose opener at NJCAA East Central District tourney

Georgia Highlands College baseball lost 10-3 to Columbia State CC Wednesday in the opening game of the NJCAA East Central District tournament at Dyersburg State CC in Tennessee.

The Chargers fell behind early with CSCC posting three runs in the top of the third and three more in the top of the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.

Georgia Highlands responded with Brandon Bell’s three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to narrow the margin to 6-3, but would get no closer.

Bell, Caleb McElwaney, and Grant Bodison had two-hit games for the Chargers. Bronco O’Brien, Matthew Vaccaro, and Nick Piccapietra had the other GHC hits.

Drew Wilson (5 IP, 6R, 1ER, 4H, 3K) started on the mound for Georgia Highlands and took the loss. Sam Sowerbrower (2 IP, 3ER, 4H), Jermiah Woods (0.2 IP, 1ER, 2H), and Sean Fitzpatrick (1.1 IP, 0R, 1K) also pitched.

The Chargers slip to the losers’ bracket of the four-team NJCAA World Series qualifier and will play GCAA-foe East Georgia State in an elimination game Thursday at noon. East Georgia also lost Wednesday, falling 9-6 to host Dyersburg State.

The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday and could extend into Saturday if the losers’ bracket team forces an “if needed” game.