Big inning lifts Chargers to second round win at conference tourney

David Smith doubled, hit a grand slam, and drove in five runs as the Chargers defeated the Gordon State Highlanders in the second round of the GCAA Tournament Tuesday.

The 16th-ranked Georgia Highlands College Chargers trailed Gordon State 4-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday afternoon before sending fourteen men to the plate and scoring ten runs on their way to a 13-11 second round win at the GCAA Tournament held at LakePoint in Emerson.

The Chargers had a first round bye as the No. 1 conference seed. Gordon State defeated East Georgia State Monday in the opening round.

Five different Chargers’ hitters finished with two hits each in their eleven hit attack.

David Smith doubled and hit a grand slam home run to produce five RBIs. Conner Todaro (3 RBIs including a sac fly), Max Kops (2 RBIs), Caden Smith (RBI), and Zayd Brannigan also finished with two hits. Ben Olson added a solo home run for Georgia Highlands.

Cason Rich (1.2 IP, 2ER, 1H, 1BB) picked up the GHC pitching win in relief of starter Gage Vailes (5.1 IP, 4R, 3ER, 8H, 2BB, 7K). Hunter Goodwin (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB) and Chandler Wood (1 IP, 4R, 1ER, 3H, 2BB, 2K) closed out the pitching duties.

The second round win in the double-elimination tournament advances the Chargers to face South Georgia State Wednesday at 1 p.m. at LakePoint where the winner will move into the championship round.

South Georgia defeated ABAC Tuesday in five innings, 14-4.