Chargers split Monday doubleheader
Georgia Highlands College trailed 5-0 early in their first game Monday at LakePoint, but came from behind for a walk-off 7-6 win over Lincoln Trail Community College (IL). The visiting Statesmen picked up a win of their own by blanking the Chargers in the second game of the day, 5-0.
In the opener, Lincoln Trail posted three runs in the top of the first and two more in the second for their early advantage. The Chargers got themselves back in the game, however, in the bottom of the second with four runs of their own.
Skylar McPhee and Malik Spratling produced the first Georgia Highlands’ run with back-to-back doubles. Following a walk to Parker Orr, Keith Lyle doubled home a run and Hunter Moody singled home two more to cut the Statesmen’s lead to one. With the bases loaded in the fifth, Orr (photo) singled to tie the game 5-5. Lincoln Trail went back ahead 6-5 in the top of the seventh with a single and a triple, but the Chargers responded in the bottom of the frame.
With two outs and a runner at third, Orr again came up clutch with an RBI single into right field to knot the score 6-6. Following a single by Lee Kay, Lyle reached on an infield single to shortstop that enabled Orr to score the walk-off run. Trace Twardoski (0.1 IP, 0R) picked up the pitching win by recording the final out in the top of the seventh. Anthony Reneo (1.2 IP, 5R, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 2K) started for the Chargers and Jacob Meyer (5 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 5K) kept GHC in the game with five innings of middle relief.
Lyle, Orr, and Spratling had two hits each. Orr and Lyle both had two RBI. Spratling also drove in a run. McPhee, Kay, and Moody (2 RBI) added one hit apiece.
LINCOLN TRAIL 5, GEORGIA HIGHLANDS 0
Lincoln Trail had four pitchers combine for a two-hit shutout in Monday’s Game 2 with Georgia Highlands. Bryson Horne and Lavoisier Fisher had the only Chargers’ hits.
Brant Brown (1.1 IP, 4ER, 2H, 3BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss for Georgia Highlands in relief of starter Zach Fordham (3 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 3K). Logan Ward (1.2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 1K) and Levi Ayers (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2K) also pitched for the Chargers. Georgia Highlands (10-5) is scheduled to host Emmanuel College JV Tuesday and will host a three-game series with Sinclair CC (OH) Friday and Saturday.
