Mocs Defeat Bobcats in Extra Innings

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - Florida Southern College won game one of the series against Georgia College and State University at John Kurtz Field after using a burst of energy late in the game to force a tenth inning. Tonight's game was the first between the two programs since 2004 when the Mocs lost 2-1 in Valdosta, Ga.
 
Leading the Mocs in runs batted in was recent SSC baseball player of the week Drew Cavanaugh, who drove in two runs to tie the game for the Mocs. El'Rico Riley led the team in runs, with two.
 
Georgia College started out the game with a dominant first inning, scoring two runs. After that, GCSU failed to score again, and the Mocs failed to score at all, until the fifth.
 
The Mocs loaded the bases in the top of the fifth. Out number one came while Jevin Relaford was at bat. Mitch Donofrio attempted to run home on a wild pitch but was tagged out before he could score. Relaford eventually singled to shortstop, batting in a run for Rohsean Riley.
 
D'Ante Starks and Relaford were both in scoring position when E. Riley came up to bat and fouled out to first base. Despite cutting the Bobcats' lead in half during the fifth, the Mocs still remained one run back, and Starks and Relaford were unable to score.
 
GCSU notched one run in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth, bringing the score to a 4-1 Mocs deficit.
 
In the top of the eighth, Relaford advanced to first on a fielding error by GCSU's third baseman, followed by singles by Jeff Liquori and Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh's base hit brought in Relaford and Liquori. E. Riley scored on a double play by GCSU. This play, along with the double by Connor Berry that followed, prompted Georgia College to make a pitching change.
 
Andrew Williamson relieved Lake Fisher in the bottom of the eighth, striking out the first batter that faced him. The inning ended scoreless for GCSU after a double play that caught out runners at both first and second.
 
In the top of the ninth, Starks gained a base on balls. He would go on to steal second while Liquori was at bat, putting him in scoring position. The inning ended when Liquori struck out, not allowing Starks the opportunity to score.
 
Justin Stewart came in to pitch for the Mocs, striking out two batters. The third out came for Georgia College on a ground ball to third base, forcing an extra inning.
 
In the top of the tenth, E. Riley gained a base on balls and then stole second base on a wild pitch. E. Riley scored on a triple to center field by Berry, giving the Mocs the lead. Next up at bat, Donofrio singled to left field, batting in Berry and extending the Mocs lead 6-4 entering the bottom of the tenth.
 
As the extra inning progressed, a pitch hit Cavanaugh, causing a brief break in the game. Julio Cortez entered the game to catch for the Mocs. GCSU scored one more run on a double but could not reach the Mocs' six runs as Liquori caught a fly ball in foul territory. 
 
Stewart was the winning pitcher for the Mocs, giving up one run and striking out two batters in two innings.
 
The Mocs came out on top 6-5 and will face Georgia College once again tomorrow, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at John Kurtz Field in Milledgeville, Ga. Read Full Article