Chargers Take Opener, Drop Nightcap in Split With Wallace Hanceville

Georgia Highlands welcomed Wallace State Hanceville Tuesday for a non conference doubleheader, and the matchup with the perennial power from Alabama lived up to expectations.  In the first game of the double dip both teams remained scoreless until the Chargers erupted for a 4 run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Joe Sutton and David Smith set the table starting the inning off with a single and a double.  A Trenton Parker walk loaded the bases and Trace Twardoski plated the first run of the ballgame with a sacrifice fly.  Palmer Sapp then tripled to center field to drive in 2 more runs and Brandon Prince capped the rally with an RBI single.  Wallace State answered in the top of the fifth with a 5 run rally of their own, but GHC would not be denied.  With two men on in the bottom of the fifth David Smith hit what appeared to be a home run off the right field foul pole.  The Wallace State right fielder seemed to think so as well, but as the Chargers trotted around the bases, the Hanceville second baseman threw the ball into to home plate where Joe Sutton was tagged and called out by the home plate umpire.  Despite the right fielder jumping to make an attempt at catching the ball and an audible "ping" from the ball striking the foul pole, the umpires ruled that the ball was in play.  GHC would score one run on the play and Smith would end up getting credit for a triple.  Trenton Parker promptly drove in the go ahead and game winning run with a single through the middle.  Chase Townsend picked up his second win of the season and Steven Thompson came on for the save. 

In the nightcap, the Chargers had several rallies cut short by double plays, and Wallace State was able to take the game 4-1.  Ryan Suppa was credited with the loss, and GHC Head Coach Dash O'Neill praised the play of both teams.  "These were two really good college baseball games between two very good teams.  I thought our guys battled all day long against a very good Hanceville club.  It was great to see our guys answer the bell in the first one today, and I think we had some chances in the second one that we just weren't able to capitalize on.  We'll learn what we can from these games today and start getting ready for another good ballclub this weekend."

GHC moves to 7-1 on the season heading into a three game series against Lincoln Trail College this weekend.  Game one is on Friday at 3PM at Lakepoint.