TAMPA, FL - It did not look good for the first seven innings for the UWG baseball team, but the Wolves fought back, coming all the way back from a six run deficit to win an elimination game over West Florida by a count of 7-6 at the NCAA South Regional on Sunday afternoon in Tampa, Fla.
The Argos jumped out to an early lead in the bottom half of the first inning, scoring one run on a passed ball and another on Jean Figueroa's solo shot.
In the third inning, UWF scored three runs on three hits to extend their lead to five. Another solo shot in the sixth, this one from Michael Savas gave the Argos a 6-0 lead.
West Georgia got a run back in the seventh and the comeback was on as
Caleb Lopes drew a leadoff walk and then moved to third as
Dalton Rogers laced a double into the right field corner. Lopes came in to score on a ground out by
Garrett Hayes.
In the 8
th the Wolves made a dent in the deficit as Marlowe led off with a walk and then after two straight outs, the Wolves got a single by Mann and another single from
Caleb Lopes that scored Marlowe.
Dalton Rogers provided the big blow with a towering three-run homer to right field, cutting the lead to just one run.
Tyler Hutch led off the ninth with a pinch hit single and was then pinch ran for by
Jake Wilkinson who moved to second on a sac bunt by Marlowe. Buckhault then dropped a single in that scored Wilkinson to tie the game. After the Wolves loaded the bases,
Caleb Lopes gave the Wolves the lead with a sac fly in the ninth.
For the second straight day,
Mitchell Mannino came in and dazzled in relief as he picked up the win and shut the door in the ninth.
Dalton Rogers was 2-for-5 with three RBI, all on the home run.
Caleb Lopes also had two hits on the afternoon with two RBI.
Garrett Hayes and
Keith Buckhault also drove in a run in the win.
The Wolves now take on GSC rival Delta State in another elimination game this afternoon at the UT Baseball Field.