Baseball takes Game 1 in weekend series with Reinhardt
WALESKA, Ga. (February 25, 2023) – The Point University baseball team played game one of a three game AAC conference series Saturday on the road, against Reinhardt. The Skyhawks would take game one, 17-14.
Game 1 of the three-game opening AAC conference weekend for the Point Skyhawks was a slugfest. Point would score 17 runs on 20 hits, hit 5 home runs, and 9 doubles. Reinhardt would score 14 runs on 15 hits, hit 2 home runs, one double, and two triples.
The day started off with the field tarp on the field to stop potential showers prior to first pitch. Rain mist would give away to a little heavier shower in the ninth inning. However, didn't stop the Skyhawks from having an offensive explosion of 17 runs for the third time this season.
After a strikeout to start the game, Kaleb Podger would hit a solo home run to put the Skyhawks ahead 1-0. The Eagles of Reinhardt wouldn't score in the bottom of the first and would end the inning on Seiwert's first strikeout of the game. The Skyhawks second baseman, Jhamante Woods has missed the last few non-conference games, but would lead off the top of the second in his first game back, with a solo shot to give the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead. Noah Watkins would double to right center and Zavion Anderson would double to right center scoring Watkins to make it 3-0. The bottom of the second would see the Eagles hit a two run homer and a solo shot to tie the game up at 3-3. Zeb Baird would lead off the top of the third with a double to right center. Jhamante Woods would hit another home run, with this time being a two run blast to left field to make it 5-3. Sam Baker double to right center and a Zavion Anderson walk would give way to a Kaleb Podger three run bomb to put the Skyhawks up 8-3. After back to back walks to Slade Mink and Jackson Bush, Zeb Baird would double to left center to score both Bush and Mink to make it 10-3. Seiwert would scatter two walks in the bottom of the third, but a twin killing and fly out would end the Eagles inning.
The Skyhawks would go down in order in the top of the fourth with the score remaining 10-3. Seiwert would get the first batter of the bottom of the fourth to strike out. After a single to center field for the Eagles, Slade Mink would catch a line drive and double off the runner at first base for a double play to end the inning. The Skyhawks would extend their lead to 11-3 after Slade Mink's grounding out into a double play would cause Kaleb Podger to score. The Eagles would get six runs back off of five hits in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 11-9 run ballgame. Neither team would score in the sixth inning.
The championship innings would start with the Skyhawks scoring four runs on four hits to make it a 15-3 game. Alex Marquand singled to left field to score Sam Baker. Slade Mink would reach on a fielder's choice and score Kaleb Podger. Jackson Bush would hit a two-run homer. The Eagles would get one run in the bottom half of the seventh on a single to left field to make it 15-10. The eighth inning would see the Skyhawks plate two runs on a Kaleb Podger double and later a Slade Mink single to make it 17-10. The Eagles would put together a rally in the bottom of the eighth when they would plate four runs to make it a 17-14 game. The slugfest would end when Cole Brown would come into the bottom of the ninth, face four batters, induce two fly balls and a strikeout to get the save. The Skyhawks would come out victorious in game one, 17-14.
On the Mound
Cameron Seiwert would get the start on the mound in game one for the Skyhawks. Seiwert would go four innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, walking five and striking out four batters. Seiwert would give way to Sage McWaters who would throw three innings, allowing three runs with two earned on four hits, while walking one batter. Salter Greene would be the next on the mound for the Skyhawks and would not record an out in his outing, while allowing four earned runs. Chandler Griggs would finish the eighth inning by allowing one hit, while walking on one walk. Cole Brown would get his first AAC conference save when he would close out the ninth, allowing no runs, walking one and striking out one batter.
Offensive Leaders
Kaleb Podger – 5 for 6; 2HRs, 3 2Bs, 5RBIs, 4Rs
Zavion Anderson – 3 for 6; 2B, RBI, 2Rs
Jhamante Woods - 2 for 5; 2HRs, 3RBIs
Zeb Baird – 2 for 5; 2 2Bs, 2RBIs, R, 2 SBs
Slade Mink – 2 for 4; 2B, 3RBIs, 2Rs
Sam Baker – 2 for 4; 2B, 2Rs
Alex Marquand – 2 for 4; RBI
Jackson Bush – 1 for 5; HR, 2RBIs, R
The Point Skyhawks will return to action at Reinhardt for games two and three tomorrow, Sunday, February 26 with the first pitch of game two of the series being at 12:00 P.M.