Albany State storms back to edge rival Georgia Southwestern

AMERICUS — Albany State saved its best baseball for the final two innings Tuesday night.

Trailing by three runs late and battling through what head coach Scot Hemmings described as “too many free passes” early in the game, the Golden Rams rallied for four runs over the final two innings before reliever Luke Hayes slammed the door shut in dramatic fashion to secure an 8-7 victory over rival Georgia Southwestern.

Hayes struck out the Hurricanes’ No. 1, 2 and 3 hitters in order in the bottom of the ninth, preserving Albany State’s comeback win and improving the Golden Rams to 9-4 on the season.

Albany State trailed 7-4 entering the eighth inning after issuing walks and hit batters that repeatedly gave Georgia Southwestern scoring opportunities.

The comeback began when the Hurricanes walked the bases loaded to open the inning.

Luke Addison, Tyler Turner and Ty Grover each reached via walk before Georgia Southwestern turned to reliever Cooper Sain. The change did little to slow Albany State’s momentum.

Sain walked Emory Stephens to force home Addison, and Isaiah Haygood followed with a sacrifice fly that cut the deficit to 7-6 heading into the final inning.

The Golden Rams completed the rally in the ninth.

Former Worth County standout Chip Cooper opened the inning with a single to left field and moved to second when Aiden Payne executed a perfectly placed bunt single. Addison followed with another single to load the bases.

Turner then lifted a fly ball to right field that scored Cooper to tie the game before Mylon Uribe delivered the biggest hit of the night, coming off the bench to drive in the go-ahead run.

Albany State’s bullpen made sure the lead held.

Colin Loeffler, Chase Ledger and Hayes combined for five hitless innings of relief against a Georgia Southwestern lineup entering the game hitting .343 as a team.

“Yes, it was a great win,” Hemmings said. “I did not think we played well early as we had too many free passes and gave GSW a lot of chances to score. What I was proud of was Colin Loeffler, Chase Ledger and Luke Hayes came in and did not give up a hit in five innings of work.”

Hemmings also praised Uribe’s continued development after delivering the game-winning hit.

“I was really proud of Mylon Uribe coming off the bench and having the game-winning hit,” Hemmings said. “He is really playing well and I am enjoying watching his progress.”

The Golden Rams now turn their attention to a key SIAC matchup this weekend as they travel to Mobile, Alabama, for a three-game series against Spring Hill College, one of the teams expected to contend for the conference championship.

“I told the guys to enjoy the win,” Hemmings said, “but now we have to prepare for Spring Hill. They are a really good team that will be well coached and prepared for us.”