The Citadel 13, Air Force 11
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? Richard Jones hit two home runs, including a two-run shot in the eighth inning that put the Bulldogs on top for good, as The Citadel rallied past Air Force, 13-11, in front of 417 at Riley Park Friday afternoon.
The Citadel (12-9) was forced to rally for a win late in the game for the fourth time this season after the Bulldogs allowed Air Force (8-15) to score seven runs in the seventh inning to take the 11-9 lead. But the Bulldogs fought back in the bottom of the eighth with four runs ? including two off Jones’ second home run of the game ? to take the win.
Jones’ two home runs were his only hits in the game as the junior went 2-for-5 on the day with four RBI and two runs scored. Chris McGuiness went 3-for-3 with three RBI, three runs scored, two walks as he blasted a three-run home run in the sixth inning.
Raymond Copenhaver (1-1) was credited with the win after pitching 0.1 innings and only facing one batter, throwing three pitches. Drew Mahaffey (2) entered in the ninth and struck out all three batters faced to seal his second save in as many days. Through two games against Air Force this week, Mahaffey has now struck out eight of the nine batters faced in collecting two saves.
Aaron Kurcz (1-3) took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one in 1.0 inning in relief.
A four-run second inning that included Bryan Altman’s third triple of the season gave The Citadel the 4-1 lead early on. Three runs for the Falcons over the next two innings allowed Air Force to tie the game until Jones’ first home run, a two run shot in the fifth inning, gave The Citadel the 6-4 lead.
A three run home run by Chris McGuiness extended that lead to a 9-4 advantage in the sixth before Air Force put up seven runs on five hits in the top of the seventh, giving the Falcons the 11-9 lead in the game.
Trailing 11-9 in the bottom of the eighth, an RBI double by Sonny Meade followed by Jones’ second two-run home run of the game put The Citadel on top, 12-11. McGuiness then hit a double to right and eventually scored on an RBI single up the middle by Sid Fallaw with two outs.
The Citadel and Air Force will meet on Saturday, March 28 for the third game in this four-game set with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Riley Park.
Georgia Southern 7, Elon 6
STATESBORO, Ga. - Chris Mederos worked six innings and the bullpen closed the door as Georgia Southern defeated Elon 7-6 Friday night (March 27) at J.I. Clements Stadium. The Eagles (18-5 overall, 4-1 Southern Conference) snapped a five-game losing streak to Elon.
The Phoenix (12-8, 6-4) got on the board in the second inning thanks to Justin Hilt's RBI double. The Eagles would respond and plate two in their half.
Eric Phillip lined a one-out single. He took second on a groundout then scored on Jonathan King's double to right. Kevin Bowles reached on an infield single, and when second baseman Zeth Stone's throw sailed past first, King was able to score.
Elon got a two-out, 2-run homer in the third inning from Pat Irvine to regain the lead, but a bout of wildness from Ken Ferrer helped the Eagles tie the score in their half.
Ty Wright reached on a one-out infield single. A.J. Wirnsberger, Matt Miller and Phillips walked on a combine 13 pitches to tie the score.
After Mederos pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning, the Eagles took the lead in their half. Bowles was hit by a pitch then Phillip Porter singled up the middle to start the frame. Griffin Benedict ripped a 2-run double to right field for a 5-3 lead.
The Phoenix tied it in the fifth on a RBI double and a double steal attempt that was dragged out long enough for Chase Austin to score. But again, the Eagles responded with two more runs.
With the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth, Wirnsberger lifted a sacrifice fly. Benedict then scored on a wild pitch by Bobby Kennedy.
Elon got another run back in the seventh on a sacrifice fly but the bullpen closed the door. Charles Matthews got one strikeout in an inning of work. Dexter Bobo worked a 1-2-3 eighth then got the first out of the ninth on a strikeout. Kyle Kamppi earned his fifth save when he fanned the final two Phoenix.
Mederos improved to 6-0 on the year, matching a season-high eight strikeouts in six innings. He was charged for five runs on eight hits. The Eagle pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts.
Wright finished with three hits while Porter and Benedict added two each as the 2-4 hitters combined for seven hits.
Ferrer was charged for five runs (four earned) on eight hits in three innings. Jared Kernodle (0-3) suffered the loss when he was charged for two runs on one hit in 2.1 innings. The Phoenix hurlers gave up 10 hits but hit six Eagles and walked four more.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon (March 28) and will be televised live on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast.
***All other SoCon baseball games scheduled for Friday were postponed due to rain throughout the southeast