Backs to the wall: Chargers drop the opening game of the Appalachian District series

May 15, 2024

The pitching was strong for both teams on Wednesday, but Dyersburg State outlasted the Georgia Highlands Chargers on the scoreboard, 3-2.

The win put the host Eagles up 1-0 in the best-of-three NJCAA Appalachian District Championship series. Georgia Highlands will need to win two games in the series to advance to the NJCAA World Series while Dyersburg State needs just one more win.

GHC jumped on top in the bottom of the first inning with two runs.

Luke Orfi singled and Clay Wiesen doubled to open the frame. Ryan Wideman grounded out to drive in Orfi and Will Cawthon followed with a run-scoring single.

The 2-0 lead held until the Eagles’ third inning. Three doubles, a single, and an RBI groundout gave the Dyersburg State a 3-2 lead.

Eagles’ pitcher, Jacob Sitton, took over from there. He blanked the Chargers for eight innings scattering nine hits and one walk. He recorded two strikeouts in his complete-game effort.

Trip Dovale suffered the pitching loss for Georgia Highlands despite a strong outing. He yielded three earned runs on eight hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Kyle Stephenson (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) and Andrew Arnold (1 IP, 0R, 1H) worked one scoreless inning.

Wiesen, Cawthon (RBI), and Gray Wilson had two hits for the Chargers. Orfi, Grayson Godbee, and Ali Banks added one hit. 

Georgia Highlands (51-8) and Dyersburg State (29-24) are scheduled to complete the series on Thursday on the Eagles’ home field. A potential doubleheader (if needed) begins at noon EDT.