Pioneers Fall in Extra Innings to ABAC, 6-5

Tifton, Georgia – Despite a pair of three-hit games from Dario Austudillo and Blake Exizan, the Spartanburg Methodist College baseball team dropped a 6-5, 11-inning decision to host Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in the series opener on Friday.

SMC (1-3) had 12 hits with three each from Austudillo and Exizan in the loss. Austudillo drove in three in the loss as SMC had double-digit hits for the second time of the young season. 

The Pioneers took the early lead against the Stallions when they plated two runs in the first inning. SMC has led in three of its four games on the season.

ABAC (3-1) came back with a run in its half of the first and erased a 4-1 deficit with four runs in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. 

Down a run in the eighth, Austudillo hit a one out solo home run to tie the game at four. SMC mounted a threat in the 10th inning as Exizan picked up his third hit to lead off the inning. The threat ended as the Pioneers pinch runner was caught stealing. 

The Pioneers stranded a runner at second in the 11^th. In the bottom half of the inning, the Stallions got a runner aboard with a one out single, who moved to second on a passed ball. Then, a walk and single loaded the bases for ABAC, who plated the winning run on a sacrifice fly.

The two teams will wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.