Freshman first baseman Bryson Horne hammered out a pair of hit and drove in all three of the Chargers' runs on Wednesday night as GHC opened the 2018 season with a 3-2 victory over LaGrange College. The Chargers littered the bases with runners all night against the Panthers, but the big hit eluded them for much of the ballgame. Chargers skipper Dash O'Neill was pleased to get the win "I'm really proud of these guys for battling the way they did and coming through when we really needed it. We had seven guys make their college debut [on offense] tonight, and though we would have liked to score a few more runs, we had alot of tough at bats. As we get a little more experience out there, I think we'll cash in on those opportunities and start putting up some big numbers."
The Chargers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Cameron Hearn reached on an infield single, advanced on a errant pick off attempt, and scored on Horne's first single of the night. Sophomore Jeremiah Woods held serve for the first two innings before surrendering a run in the third. Woods went 5 innings allowing just 2 hits, while walking 4, and striking out 4. Woods gave way to redshirt freshman Travis Kuebler who threw well but surrendered the lead in the top of the seventh inning on a pair of Panther hits. After sophomore Alex Holdbrooks threw a perfect eighth, the Chargers finally got the big hit they'd been missing for most of the game.
Miguel Urbina led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle and was replaced by pinch runner Josh Bennett. Zachary Miller walked on 4 straight pitches, and Cameron Hearn hit into a fielder's choice that moved Bennet and Miller into scoring position. With the game on the line, Horne lined a 1-1 pitch into right field plating both runners to give the Chargers the lead. Dash O'Neill then sent freshman closer Skylar McpHee to the bump to finish the game, and he did so in fashion, striking out all three batters he faced to claim his first save of the season. After the game, O'Neill was very happy with his bullpen. "What more can you ask for right there at the end. Holdy did a great job keeping us alive, and Skylar was just dominant in the ninth."
Holdbrooks earns the win for the first of his career as the Chargers start the season 1-0. GHC will host Chattanooga State this weekend in a three game series at LakePoint. Game one is scheduled for 3PM on Friday while the Saturday doubleheader is slated for a 1PM start.