Box Score CAROLLTON, Ga. – The No. 29 Georgia College baseball team (8-3) pounded out 19 hits for 17 runs in a 17-1 rout at the University of West Georgia (5-10) Thursday afternoon.
An RBI double by shortstop Daniel Bick (Alpharetta, Ga.) got things rolling in the first, and the Bobcats never trailed. Bick finished with just the one hit and RBI, adding a pair of runs scored.
The lone three-hit performer was second baseman Brandon Benson (Loganville, Ga.) in his first career start, going 3-for-5 with three RBI. Designated hitter Taylor Hinshaw (Winder, Ga.) was 2-for-4, adding three runs and two driven in. Catcher Steve Hazel (Kentwood, Mich.) posted two hits in four trips, scoring twice, and first baseman Clay Ardeeser (Loganville, Ga.) added two hits in five at-bats with a run.
The leadoff spot was particularly productive, as starting leftfielder Ryan Sabalaskey (Carol Stream, Ill.) had four RBI despite tallying just one hit. The final two at-bats were turned over to senior John Welborn (Locust Grove, Ga.), who went 2-for-2 with three RBI, a double and a run. The Bobcats also stole seven bases on the game, getting one each from seven different players. Every one of the Bobcat starters had at least one hit.
The pitching staff matched the Bobcat hitters' efforts, stretching seven hits across nine innings for just one run, and fanning four. Starter Stewart Rich (Macon, Ga.) went five innings to pick up his first career win, allowing five hits for one run. The remaining four innings were spread among four Bobcat relievers.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m. for doubleheader action against No. 27 UNC Pembroke at John Kurtz Field.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.
