Late runs cost Georgia Highlands

Georgia Highlands held a 5-1 lead at one time and carried a 5-4 lead into the sixth inning Saturday evening, but a three-run sixth by host West Georgia Tech handed the Chargers a 7-5 defeat at LakePoint in Emerson. As a result, the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference series stands at one game each heading into Sunday afternoon’s doubleheader back at LakePoint. The weekend games were moved from Carrollton to LakePoint earlier in the week.

Chargers’ pitcher Trace Twardoski (0.1 IP, 3R, 3ER, 0H, 4BB) was saddled with the pitching loss in relief of starter Dalton Rhadans (5 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 0BB, 5K). Ryan Smithson (0R, 4H, 2K) worked across the final three innings. Malik Spratling homered and doubled twice with two RBI to pace the GHC offense. Lavoisier Fisher had two hits. Skylar McPhee drove in a pair of runs and had one hit. With Saturday’s win, West Georgia Tech improved to 11-13 overall and 2-5 in conference.

Georgia Highlands is 17-9 overall and 5-2 in GCAA games.