Georgia Highlands closes out '18 campaign with a victory

After not qualifying for the GCAA playoffs, it was the final game of the 2018 season for the Georgia Highlands Chargers. It was a game, however, in which the Chargers’ bats exploded for 20 hits and 15 runs and a 15-5 eight inning, run-rule victory over Andrew College at LakePoint in Emerson.

Andrew actually led early. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning off GHC starter Drew Wilson. The Chargers responded with three runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the third to take a 6-3 lead they would not relinquish.

The visitors narrowed the lead to 6-4 in the fourth, but the Chargers scored nine runs over the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings for the eighth inning walk-off, mercy-rule win.

Every hitter in the Chargers’ lineup had at least one base hit.

Skylar McPhee finished 4-for-5 with a double and three RBI to lead the offense. Austin Foster had three hits included a pair of doubles and four RBI. Parker Orr had three hits with a double and three RBI, and Jaree Pledger had a double among his three hits.

Willis Kemp had two hits including a triple and one RBI. Bryson Horne also added two hits. Zach Miller, Nick Piccapietra (double, RBI), and Miguel Urbina had one hit each for Georgia Highlands.

Collin Chambers homered for Andrew. Brent Todys and Dahlton Cash both contributed two hits.

Wilson (4 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 1BB, 1K) picked up the pitching win. Tyler Sellers (3 IP, 1ER, 1H, 3BB, 2K) and Matt Norton (1 IP, 1H, 1BB) worked in relief.

Andrew finished the 2018 season with a 21-34 overall record and 8-22 in the GCAA.

The Chargers finished fifth in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association with a 12-18 conference mark. GHC was 29-23 overall a season after winning the conference title.