Chargers suffer first conference loss, split Saturday doubleheader with Gordon State

Georgia Highlands College split a conference baseball doubleheader with Gordon State Saturday in games played at LakePoint in Emerson.

The Chargers won the opener 10-0, but dropped the second game 10-3 to the Highlanders.

GHC ace Johnny Dow pitched a complete game and struck out eight in the shutout. He scattered eight hits in seven innings of work.

Georgia Highlands took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on David Smith’s two-RBI single. The Chargers then added four more runs in the third on four singles and three walks. Palmer Sapp and Trenton Parker both had two-run hits.

Max Kops smacked a three-run home run in the fifth inning to make the score 9-0 and Brandon Prince followed with a solo shot for the Chargers’ final run.

Gordon State led 3-1 through four innings of the second game. The Highlanders later led 6-2 through seven, and made it 10-2 in the eighth on their way to a seven-run win.

Chargers’ starting pitcher Jacob Ryan suffered the pitching loss. He allowed four earned runs on 10 hits and a walk. Ryan fanned three. Four other GHC pitchers — Garrett Sagro, Chandler Wood, Matthew Silka, and Caleb Garner — worked short stints in relief for the Chargers.

Connor Todaro had three hits for Georgia Highlands. Palmer Sapp and Ben Olson both added two hits and both homered. Brandon Prince drove in a run and finished with two hits. David Smith and Trace Twardoski both added one hit.

Gordon State moves to 15-12 on the season and 6-4 in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play.

Georgia Highlands (28-4, 7-1) has another conference doubleheader Tuesday against Andrew College at LakePoint.