SAVANNAH, Ga. – Will Hodges hit a two-run single to cap a four-run seventh inning as Armstrong State University rallied past Flagler College 6-4 in a Peach Belt Conference baseball game Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field.
Armstrong State improved to 16-19 overall and 1-13 in the Peach Belt. Flagler fell to 23-16 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
Flagler took a 4-2 lead going into the home-half of the seventh. The Pirates got three consecutive hits without the ball leaving the infield. The last two hits were bunt singles.
Dante Pagano came on in relief of starter
Ryan Ashworth after the last bunt single. A sacrifice fly to right-center scored one run, and the runner on second base advanced to third. Ryan Patterson hit a ground ball to second base, but the Saints could only get the force out at second and the game-tying run crossed the plate. Caleb Slaughter followed with a single and then Zack Goble drew a walk to load the bases. That's when Hodges' grounder between shortstop and third base leaked into the outfield and two runs scored.
Luke Cooksey came on to retire the final Armstrong batter.
The Saints opened the game with a two-run first inning.
Ja'Kobi Dasher drew a bases loaded walk.
Jake Hathaway scored on a passed ball.
The Pirates tied the game with two of their own in the sixth, but the Saints re-took the lead with
Sean Lawlor's two-run single in the seventh.
Caleb Woods (1-3) picked up the win in relief as he tossed 3 1/3 innings, scattered six hits, allowed two runs and struck out four. Tanner Hall started and went 5 2/3 innings. He allowed nine hits and one earned run with four walks and three strikeouts.
Hodges collected three singles and had three runs batted in. Stetson Smith singled twice and scored a run.
Ryan Ashworth (2-4) was credited with the loss after tossing six-plus innings. He surrendered nine hits and five runs.
Dante Pagano and
Luke Cooksey pitched in relief for the Saints.
Dylan Jones went 3-for-4 with a double.
Igor Baez hit three singles and scored a run.
Cole Ondrejka went 2-for-5 with a double while
Lorenzo Butler went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, drew a walk and was hit by a pitch.
The same two teams meet in the series finale on Sunday (April 9) at 1 p.m. at Pirate Field.
