SMC Falls to Middle George State, 10-7 in Season Opener

Cochran, Georgia – Host Middle Georgia State came from behind twice, 6-0 and 7-6, to rally to defeat Spartanburg Methodist College in the 2025 season opener for borthprograms on Friday morning.

SMC (0-1) sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs on three hits in the opening frame for an early 5-0 lead. Two of the runs came in on a two out, two RBI by Matt Smith. Earlier in the inning, the Pioneer offense plated runs on a RBI double by Blake Exizan and RBI single by Jarian Pinckney to go along with a bases loaded walk to Justin Dawkins for the early lead. 

Dawkins added to the SMC lead with a solo home run in the third for his second RBI on the day. Pinckney had two hits and two RBIs to lead a seven-hit attack by the visitors.

Middle Georgia State (1-0) started its comeback with two runs in the third and a run in the fourth before tying it in the fifth with a three-run inning. 

The Pioneers regained the lead in the top of the seventh when Pinckney picked up his second RBI of the day with a two out single.

The Knights came back in the bottom of the seventh with a two out, grand slam by Zane Faulk to take their first lead of the day on its way to a 10-7 win.  

SMC used three pitchers in the contest with Carson Glenn getting the loss after pitching the final two innings. MGA also used three pitchers with David Johnson going the final three innings, scattering two hits and striking out two for the win.

The two teams will face each other again on Saturday at noon for a seven inning contest and the Pioneers will follow that up with a 2:30 p.m. contest against Brewton Parker College.