By CINDY CROSBY
The USC Salkehatchie Indian baseball team dropped a double header against Gordon State College (9-3, 9-1) and went 0-4 in a four-game weekend series against Region 10 opponent Spartanburg Methodist (3-1, 8-0, 16-2, 18-2). Salkehatchie is now 1-26 overall and 0-6 in region competition. However, Coach Jeremy Joye believes the team has the necessary components to win.
“We still need to do a much better job finishing games. All the necessary components are there. But I feel like if there is one thing that we need to accomplish before post season play, that is it. I see flashes of greatness with our pitching, defense and offense,” Joye said. “We have got to be less streaky, though, and more consistent. And we’ve got to do a better job keeping our foot on the accelerator, as they say, and put teams away when we have the chance.”
In the double header against Gordon State College on Tuesday, March 15 on the road, the Indians fell in game one after being tied at three in the bottom of the fifth. Reese Benson led things off on the pitcher’s mound for Salkehatchie, going three innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three. Ahmad Tucker threw three innings out of the bullpen. The Indians tallied eight hits in the game with Jalen Morris and Christian Roder recording multiple hits.
Against Gordon State in game two, Mack Ritter started for the Indians, going four innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits, and striking out five. Tyler Hogan threw two innings in relief. Cameron Godbee and Connor Dugan each had a hit.
In the weekend home series against Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC), Heston Thompson toed the rubber for Salkehatchie in game one Saturday, March 19, allowing five hits and one run over nine innings, striking out seven and walking one. Ahmad Tucker threw one inning in relief. Gabe White, Rushton Bowles, and Connor Dugan each collected one hit for the Indians.
In game two against Spartanburg, Kenny Miller led things off on the mound for USC Salkehatchie Indians. The righthander surrendered five runs on eight hits over five innings, striking out six. Jard Luis Rodriguez and Nolan McGonigle entered the game from the bullpen, each throwing one inning. Eric Green led the Indians, going 1-1 at the plate.
Sunday’s double header against SMC, saw Drew Thomas take the mound for Salkehatchie. Thomas went two and a third innings, allowing six runs on five hits and striking out two. Juan Rodriguez and Michael Love entered the game as relief, throwing one and two-thirds innings and one inning, respectively. Connor Dugan homered in the second inning for the Indians and Gabe White had a hit.
Salkehatchie struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively in game two Sunday afternoon against SMC, giving up 18 runs. Gannon Honea earned the start for Salkehatchie, lasting three innings, allowing ten runs on nine hits, striking out five and walking one. Nate Kiser, Michael Dorso, and Reese Benson each contributed in relief. Rashard Brown had a long ball in the second inning and Gabe White went 2-3 in the game.
The Indians will travel to Central Alabama for a weekend four-game series March 25-26.
