Friday, April 20, 2001

STATESBORO, Ga. - Chris Walker's two-out single in the bottom of the tenth inning gave Georgia Southern a 4-3 Southern Conference victory over East Tennessee State at J.I. Clements Stadium Friday night.

After Jared Comstock (6-3) struck out the side in the top of the tenth, Darryl Stephens drew a walk to open the Eagles' (26-15, 14-8) portion of the extra frame. A stolen base and fly-out by Brandon Burnsed moved Stephens to third base, setting the stage for Walker's game deciding hit to left field off Bucs' reliever Jackson Simerly (1-3).

The Eagles sent the game to extra innings with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Walker reached on a one-out single and advanced to second on a walk by Chad Hall. Brendan Gilligan followed with a double down the right field line to score Walker. Jemel Spearman then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Hall and tie the game at 3-3.

East Tennessee State (15-24, 7-12) started off the scoring in the top of the sixth as Andy Baxter led off with a double to left field. Scott Rose eventually drove in Baxter with a two-out single to right.

Georgia Southern evened the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch before ETSU right fielder Nathan Copeland hit his tenth home run of the season over the right field wall in the top of the eighth inning to regain a one-run advantage. The Buccaneers added a single run in the top of the ninth to extend their lead to 3-1.

GSU starter Brett Lewis worked eight and two-thirds innings, allowing nine hits and all three ETSU runs in the no-decision. Meanwhile, Bucs' starter Reid Casey pitched eight and one-third innings while also allowing nine hits and three runs.

The two teams resume the three-game series Saturday in J.I. Clements Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.