Highlanders overpower Georgia Highlands in series opener

April 3, 2024

Ryan Wideman hit two home runs and drove in five and Barrett Eldridge had four hits (one homer, two doubles, two RBIs) but the Georgia Highlands Chargers lost a four-game series opener with the Gordon State Highlanders in Cartersville on Tuesday, 17-14.

Gordon State had a 5-0 lead after one inning and led 14-6 in the middle of the fifth before holding off Georgia Highlands for a three-run victory. The Chargers tied the game at 6-all in the second inning and narrowed the margin to 14-12 in the seventh inning but could not complete the comeback.

The two teams combined for 33 hits including 11 home runs. Nine of those homers were by Highlanders.

Logan Spivey (1 IP, 3ER, 2H, 1BB) was saddled with the pitching loss for the Chargers. Oliver Wood (4 IP, 11ER, 9H, 1BB, 1K) made the start. Declan Dun (1BF, 1ER, 1BB), Max Eichenberger (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB), Brodie Chestnutt (2 IP, 0R, 3H, 1BB, 1K), and Hunter Ward (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) also pitched.

Davis Newman added three hits including two doubles and one RBI in the Chargers’ offensive attack. Grayson Godbee had two hits (one RBI). Luke Orfi (RBI), Will Cawthon, Gray Wilson (RBI), and Clay Wiesen (double, RBI) contributed one hit.

Georgia Highlands (33-6, 5-4 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) and Gordon State (22-13, 8-1) will continue the conference series with a single game on Thursday afternoon and a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Barnesville.