Box Score

AIKEN, S.C. – Two runs in the top of the ninth inning punctuated the first semifinal game of the afternoon as the West fourth-seeded Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes' were able to continue their “Cinderella March” through the 2010 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. The 'Canes defeated the East third-seeded Flagler Saints 5-2 in the opening game of the day to advance to the championship game Sunday night.

The Hurricanes are now just one win away from posting a 30 season, and are currently sitting with a record of 29-18 for the season.

Flagler ends their 2010 season 29-23 with the loss in the semifinal game.

Unlike the games from the previous day, the game moved swiftly through the first innings with neither team able to assert themselves as the forerunner. Georgia Southwestern was able to take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, but Flagler answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-spot of their own, tying the game back up at twp-a-piece.

In the top of the fourth inning, Trent Dooley stepped to the plate with Zack Stanton on first and nobody out. Dooley laced a ball to the warning track in right-center field driving Stanton across the plate for the first score of the game.

Moments later Byron Haynes sent a sacrifice fly to center field to allow Dooley to make his way back across the plate to pt the Hurricanes up 2-0.

The Saints did not allow the Hurricanes any breathing room as they answered in the bottom of the inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Nate Fudala ripped a ball to left-center field for a single allowing Payne Maddox to score all the way from second while Jose Rohena advanced to second.

Cale Owen loaded the bases with a single through the left side before Will Percy stepped to the plate. With only one out still on the board and the sacks full, Percy sent a high flying ball to left field for a sacrifice fly allowing Rohena to score from third, tying the game at two all.

After another two full innings passed with the teams in a stalemate, the Hurricanes were able to find the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning when Beau Parker scored from third off a single through the left side by Stanton.

Georgia Southwestern gave themselves some breathing room in the top of the ninth inning as they blew two more runs across the plate to put the score at 5-2.

With two runners on base and no outs, Kevin Carroll laid down a bunt for a single, advancing the runners. A botched throw on the play by the Flagler third baseman presented Parker with the opportunity to round third base and cross the plate.

The Hurricanes loaded the bases up when Flagler hurler Heath Storey intentionally walked Dooley before the Saints could garner two outs. The loaded bases off the intentional walk came back to hurt the Saints as the 'Canes pushed their lead out to the final three runs when Bud Long jogged across the plate when Paschel Poston was walked.

Georgia Southwestern held on in the closing moments behind strong pitching and fielding to advance to the championship game to be contested Sunday evening.

“Today was just a great team effort all around,” stated the 'Canes' head mentor Bryan McClain. “Out guys pitched and played really well. This win is a credit to the young men and the hard work they have put in all season long.”

When asked about his thoughts on advancing to Georgia Southwestern's first ever PBC Tournament championship game in any sport, McClain said, “I am extremely proud. This was something we talked about with the team back in January (when the Hurricanes were picked to finish last in the PBC) and felt we could do. We just have to keep executing in our bunt-game and score runs.”

Georgia Southwestern narrowly out-hit the Saints 10-9 in the contest with eight Hurricanes recording at least one hit. Carroll and Stanton both recorded two hits and one RBI with Stanton crossing the plate for one run scored.

Seven Flagler batters were able to get at least one hit in the game with Owen leading all batters in the contest with three hits on the day.

Jody Sellers earned the win on the mound while Brandon Reeder recorded the save on the hill for the Hurricanes. Sellers struck out three batters in seven innings of work to improve to 7-4 on the season.

Adam Joudon took the loss for Flagler on the hill in seven innings of work. He ends the 2010 season with a record of 5-3.

The Hurricanes will advance on to their first ever PBC Tournament championship game tonight (Sunday, May 9) at 6 p.m. They will face the winners of the second semifinal game between the tournament host and East fourth-seeded USC Aiken Pacers and the West third-seeded Cougars of Columbus State.