Gordon State wins conference opener with 13-3 win over W. Georgia Tech

BARNESVILLE, Georgia -- Gordon State baseball opened its conference slate with a 13-3 win over West Georgia Technical at Gordon State Tuesday afternoon in Barnesville. 

The Highlanders (12-13) and  Golden Knights (5-16-1) and will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Thursday and a single game on Friday, all in Carrollton. 

The games were originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, but were moved up 24 hours in an effort to complete the games before the potential for inclement weather in the area becomes a factor Friday and into the weekend. 

The Highlanders put up at least one run every inning with the exception of the second inning. 

Jordan Howard went 4 for 4 with with 3 RBI's and 3 runs scored and Randal Heller had a 3-for -4 day with 3 runs scored to lead the Highlanders. 

Gordon scored in the home half of the first with a two-run homer to take the lead at 2-1 and never looked back. 

The Highlanders added to its lead in the third with a triple and a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-1 game. Gordon State then added three more in the bottom of the fourth, all with two outs, to extend its lead to 6-1. A solo shot in the bottom of the fifth made it 7-3, Gordon added another run in the sixth to extend its lead to 8-3. A five-run eighth closed the scoring at 13-3. 

Seth Carter got the start for Gordon and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Carter had four strikeouts and two walks. 

Austin Hendricks and Tucker Reynolds combined in relief, with Hendricks going 2.2 innings while allowing no runs on no hits with three strikeouts. 

The four-game series concludes with a doubleheader on Thursday and a 9-inning game on Friday. Both start-times are set for 12:05 p.m., at Central High School in Carrollton.