ROME, Ga. — The Shorter Hawks split the final two games of their weekend series against Chowan, falling 13-7 in game two before bouncing back in dominant fashion with a 19-5 win in the finale.
GAME TWO
Game two remained quiet early before Chowan struck first in the second inning with an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead. Shorter answered quickly, as Michael Barron delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Isaiah Sims and even the score. After a pair of scoreless frames, a wild pitch in the fifth allowed Wilmer Henriquez to cross the plate, giving the Hawks a 2-1 advantage.
That lead would be short-lived, however, as Chowan's offense erupted in the sixth and seventh innings. A two-run homer in the sixth sparked the rally, followed by a barrage of hits in the seventh that pushed the Hawks into a 13-2 deficit.
Shorter showed fight in the final inning, putting together a late rally. Griffin Tamucci, Drake Cobb, and Micah Shipman all contributed RBIs, while Reece Newberry and Brooks McKenna added to the surge to cut the deficit to 13-7. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Hawks' comeback attempt fell short, ending in a popout.
GAME THREE
Chowan again opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first, but the Hawks quickly matched it with an RBI ground-rule double from Drake Cobb. After Chowan briefly regained the lead in the second, Shorter took control in the third when Wilmer Henriquez launched a three-run home run—his first hit of the series—to give the Hawks a 4-2 lead. Cobb followed with a solo shot to extend the advantage.
From there, Shorter's offense exploded. The Hawks piled on runs across the fourth and sixth innings, capitalizing on walks, hit-by-pitches, and timely hitting. Griffin Tamucci, Micah Shipman, and Reece Newberry each delivered key RBIs as the lead ballooned. Henriquez added another highlight in the seventh, blasting his second home run of the game—and 13th of the season—to tie the program's single-season record. Chowan managed a small push late, but it wasn't enough to overcome the massive deficit, as Shorter secured the 19-5 victory and the series win.
"It's a good bounce-back," remarked Head Coach Wes Timmons. "Ultimately, senior weekend, you take two out of three. Obviously, you'd have liked to have swept there, but it is what it is. Logan Bryson threw really well again; he's kind of riding that wave; the velo is back, and he's kept us in every start he's had. Wilmer tied the single-season record for home runs today, so there are bright spots. It's going to be the same idea next weekend. We're going to have to bullpen it at Mount Olive. Logan Bryson is hopefully going to be a guy where we can pick a spot and have him throw against their lesser arm and see if we can't sneak a win on the road".
UP NEXT
The Hawks look to collect a win in their final home game of the season in a rematch against non-conference opponent Middle Georgia on Tuesday. The weekday matchup will commence play at 2:00 p.m. EST. All games will be streamed live on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network.
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