The Shorter Hawks baseball team opened its 2016 season this past weekend playing a three game series against the Spring Hill College Badgers.
In game one, Shorter posted an 11-3 victory, giving
Wes Timmons his first victory as head coach. Homeruns by a trio of Hawks –
Dustin Lawson,
Sean Acevedo, and
Steven Maier – lifted the team. "Those three home runs were the end all story of why we won," said Timmons.
Sophomore pitcher
Patrick Busscher earned the win, while
Josh Hansard recorded the save.
The Hawks (1-2) were not as fortunate in the second game of the series, falling 18-8. Facing a six-run deficit after two innings, Shorter rallied in the bottom of the seventh. A three-run home run by
Blaze Vazquez, his second of the game, tied the game at eight. "Our offense will probably go as Blaze goes," Timmons stated. "All weekend he did his part."
Unfortunately, in the bottom of the seventh inning, defense proved to be the Achilles heel for the visitors. The Hawks allowed nine runs off three errors, and when it was over, Spring Hill (2-1) came out ahead of SU, 18-8.
Sophomore
Michael Weiksner received the loss.
The rubber matched proved to be a pitching duel. Shorter registered two hits, with its only run coming on a
Patrick Sanderson home run. The Hawks fell 3-1.
Jerry Liang pitched four innings, giving up one run.
The loss moved Shorter to 1-2 on the young season, while the Badgers improved to 2-1.
The Hawks hope to even their record at 2-2 when they play their home opener against the Carson-Newman Eagles. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM eastern on Wednesday, February 10, from the Ledbetter Baseball Complex in Rome, Georgia.
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