COCHRAN, Ga. | Middle Georgia State University used a four-run fifth inning and then held off Georgia College & State University 5-3 in the opener of its Peach Belt Conference baseball series opener Friday (March 6) afternoon at Stuckey Field.
The Knights improved to 7-14 overall and to 3-7 in the Peach Belt, while the Bobcats slipped to 6-13 and 4-6. The teams meet at 2 p.m. Saturday (March 7) in the middle game of the series.
Middle Georgia broke up the pitcher's duel in the bottom of the fifth. Seve Fernandez drove in the first run on a bunt singles before Teonis Pimentel added a sacrifice fly. Justin Aponte and Mikal Ashley had RBI singles to give the Knights a 4-0 lead off GCSU starter
Keaton Prior (1-4).
The Bobcats answered back in their next at-bat as they scored three times to put within a run at 4-3.
Luke Boone singled home a run before
Carson Vick scored on a wild pitch.
Blake Wood drew a bases-loaded walk to score the third GCSU run.
Tate Abbott added an insurance run in the sixth for the Knights with a solo home run to right field.
GCSU had five hits with Vick, Boone,
Carson Phillips,
Tanner Patterson and
Blake Bellflower each registering one apiece.
Ethan Gill (1-4) earned the win for the Knights, while Brandon Exley picked up his first save of 2026.
About GCSU AthleticsÂ
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason 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 @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to theÂ
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