EMERSON, Ga. – Gordon State split its fourth consecutive doubleheader as the Highlanders dropped the opener 12-6, but recovered to take the nightcap with an 8-4 triumph over Georgia Highlands College in Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) baseball action here Tuesday.
GSC fell behind early in game one as GHC scored eight runs in the bottom of the second inning and the Highlanders could never get closer than 9-6 going to the bottom of the seventh.
But GHC answered with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull away.
Carson Renz (Dacula, Ga. / Mill Creek HS) led the way for GSC with a 3-for-4 day at the plate with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.
Cole Phillips (Trion, Ga. / Trion HS) and Derek Wylie (Warner Robins, Ga. / Veterans HS) also homered for the Highlanders.
GSC (28-19 overall, 17-11 GCAA) returned the favor of jumping out to an early lead in the second game as the Highlanders scored six times in the third inning and eventually finished off the four-run victory.
Blaze O'Saben (Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier HS) went 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs and an RBI.
Phillips, Wylie and Sam Kuchinski (Powder Springs, Ga. / Harrison HS) also homered for the Highlanders.
Four GSC pitchers combined for the seven-inning win, including a scoreless sixth inning from Joey Gill (Canton, Ga. / Creekview HS) and scoreless seventh from Davis Smith (Social Circle, Ga. / Social Circle HS).
GSC and GHC (39-11, 18-8) play again Saturday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Barnesville to close out the 2021 regular season.
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The Gordon State College Department of Athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA). Gordon State College competes in NJCAA Division I in the sports of Women's Soccer (Fall), Men's Basketball (Fall/Spring), Softball (Spring) and Baseball (Spring). Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, Ga., approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Macon. Gordon State College offers both two-year and four-year degree programs and believes that our Athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful academically, athletically and in life after their time as a Highlander. Follow GSC Athletics at www.gscathletics.com, on Facebook (@Gordon State Highlanders) and Twitter (@state_ad / GordonStateAD). You can also follow Gordon State College on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).