Box Score FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The baseball team kept their NCCAA South Region Championship hopes alive after coming from behind to knock off the #1 seeded Southern Wesleyan University 7-6. The Hawks opened the tournament with a 6-5 loss to #3 Palm Beach Atlantic, pushing them to the loser bracket. Playing directly after the loss to PBA the Hawks rallied to overcome a three-run deficit and take the 7-6 win in dramatic style.
Brandon Hamlett showed up big time playing in his final South Region Tournament as a senior. The right handed hurler came in to pitch in relief of Brian Hill in the 5th inning of the game with his team trailing 6-3. Hamlett went on to pitch the next three innings for the win on the mound but it was his at-bat in the bottom of the 7th inning that gave the Hawks the win. After getting to an 0-2 count, Hamlett battled back to a 2-2 count and on the ensuing pitch hit a solo, walk-off home run for the 7-6 win, keeping the Hawks alive to play tomorrow. Hamlett held SWU hitless over three innings on the mound.
Hamlett becomes the school's all-time leading career wins record holder after tonight with 17 total wins from the mound. He has recorded a 6-3 season to this point. Hamlett was also 2-4 at the plate in the game. Zack Beasley was 2-3 while Billy Walling and Justin Hollingsworth each were 3-4 at the plate.
BJ Byerly was credited with the loss in game one after tossing 4 1/3 innings. Tonight's loss was only his second of the season. David Hughes, Walling, and Hollingsworth each had two hits in the game.
The Hawks will play the loser of the #3 Palm Beach Atlantic and #4 Emmanuel College game tomorrow at 3:00pm.