MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College Baseball team (2-2) took the fight to No. 1 University of Tampa (2-1) Sunday, dropping a tight 6-4 contest at John Kurtz Field. The win gives Tampa a 2-1 series victory this season.

The difference came early, as the Spartans scored all six runs in the first three frames, including a four-run first.

The Bobcats picked up one in the third and three more in the fourth, but the rally dried up there.

GC's relief pitching was phenomenal, as both Jacob Hester (Marietta) and Josh Patterson (Bluffton, South Carolina) helped keep the Bobcats in striking distance. Hester spun four innings with just one mistake, a solo home run. He scattered five hits and fanned three. Patterson took the final three hitless, walking one and striking out three Spartans.

Shortstop KC Brown (Savannah) was 2-for-4 with an RBI single to lead the offense.

Neither team scored for the final five innings.

Righty starter Brennan Crooms (Metter) took the loss (0-1) in two innings of work.

The Bobcats are back in action Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m., traveling to Newberry College.

As a proud recipient of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the league's sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.