SMC Sweeps 8th ranked Georgia Perimeter College in double header
SPARTANBURG, SC- SMC baseball (5-2) took on 8th ranked Georgia Perimeter College in a double header on Wednesday February 11. It was a clear difference in mentality between Saturday's loss and Wednesday. Coach Wallace clarified that for us saying "…we did some things well, we had some great at bats especially late in the second game." The offense for SMC came alive and once again the speed on the base paths ate GPC alive according to the skipper. Watching this group grow is something we expect to see throughout the year, but not in four days. It seemed as if a completely different team was playing; being a good thing for the Pioneers. Leading hitter for SMC through both games, second baseman O'Kevius Conway (Clinton High) had a day (4-4, 2 2B, 4 SB, 2 BB, RBI, 2R). After the game he said "We had a lot of chances to do good things. (We) got everything up and rolling with some emphasis…we are just one big family, one big family." The confidence was there for SMC today and seems like it will stay there with the way they are carrying themselves.
Game 1:
The action started for SMC in the bottom of the third. Conway squared up a leadoff double and stole third making the job easier for Jared McKay (Chamblee, GA) to drive him in. McKay stole two bases setting up the fielder's choice put in play by Dom Jackson (S Gwinnett, GA) earning an RBI. Tyler Thornton (WHamp/CofC) (RHP) (1-0) was solid (4K, 2BB, 3H, 5IP) on the mound for the Pioneers carving out two three up three down innings in under 65 pitches. A walk, line drive off of Thornton's foot and an error, allowed GPC to tie the game at 2. GPC was perfect on defense until the bottom of the fifth. SMC forced three errors, a stolen base and a sac fly by Seth Wall (Georgetown High) to take a 3-2 lead. Red shirt freshman Anders Deshields (St. James) (LHP) came in to relive Thornton. Deshields threw an 8 pitch sixth inning doing his job well. Sophomore Hayden Heflin (Pinewood Prep) (RHP) earned the save. Top Hitters: Conway (2-2, 2B, 3 SB, BB, R), Jackson (1-2, RBI, SB, R), McKay (1-2, 2RBI, 3 SB, R). FINAL: SMC 4, GPC 3
Game 2:
Third baseman KiJana Madden (Hillcrest High) hitting a towering home run to left center in the bottom of the second inning to put the Pioneers on the scoreboard. SMC created a two run inning in the second, getting the lead for starting pitcher CD Pelham (Lancaster) (LHP). A couple misplayed balls and a pair of walks gave GPC a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Billy Peatross (Summerville) stroked a leadoff single. A Sac by Jamal Keels (Manning) and a hard lined RBI single by catcher Seth Wall (Georgetown) tied the game at 3. After falling behind again, SMC needed some big bats to step up and that's just what they got. Madden walked, and the crushing 1.000 hitter on the day, Conway roped an RBI double off the wall scoring Madden. The next at bat, McKay lined the go ahead RBI single over the second baseman's head scoring Conway to take a 4-3 lead. The winning pitcher Kam Dixon (Darlington) (RHP) (1-0) (4K, 0 BB, 0 R) did a phenomenal job coming in and shutting down GPC. "It feels good, (to get my first college win) it feels like home man. It feels good to come out and do something I love to do" Dixon said. Top Hitters: Madden (1-2, HR, RBI, 2R, SB), Samuel (3-3, 2 SB), Conway (2-2, 2B, RBI, 2R, SB), McKay (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SB) FINAL: SMC 5, GPC 4
SMC did things well and the pitchers came out working ahead. "I would like to think we grew some today. To be honest with you, that is the best club we have played so far" Coach Wallace said. With the confidence level rising and strong bats coming around, the Pioneers are headed in the right direction. Colton Pagoota an outfielder for SMC said during the game, "watching every pitch will show you exactly where a game is won or lost."
SMC is at it again on Saturday February 14 as they travel to Hickory, NC to take on Catawba Valley Community College in a double header. They will then travel back home to host Catawba Valley on Sunday afternoon February 15 in another double header. First pitch is @ 1:00pm for both games! GO PIONEERS!
Article By: Alex Rogers
I am a freshman student at SMC. Graduated from Saluda High School where I played baseball. I love sports and I have a passion for stats and watching athletes on a high level. I love to write and plan to be a sports analyst/writer for my career. While I am in school, I am doing everything I can to gain experience and learn from others. I plan to do an article for every game of the 2015 baseball season. Please stay tuned with our social media pages Twitter: @gosmcbaseball, Instagram: @SMCpioneerBaseball Facebook: SMC Baseball and Pioneer Athletics at Spartanburg Methodist College, Website: www.gosmcpioneers.com for links to more articles. If you have any ideas or specific stories that you would like me to do a write up on, please email me at alexprogers6@yahoo.com or text/call at (864)-993-1493. I am willing to work with anyone, and love being helped/critiqued. Thank you again for viewing. GO PIONEERS!