The 2026 PBC Baseball Tournament continued today, with #1 North Georgia dominating once again in Dahlonega and #2 Lander pulling off a comeback victory once again in Greenwood. The second games of the day at each site proved to be tight contests as #5 Georgia Southwestern battled through 12 innings before taking down #8 Middle Georgia, and #3 USCA held off comeback attempt from #7 GCSU to secure the victory. The nightcap between #4 Flagler and #5 Georgia Southwestern proved close once again, as the Saints took home a 4-2 victory over the Canes. Game five in Greenwood was postponed due to weather, and is set for 2:00pm tomorrow.
#1 NORTH GEORGIA 12-2 #4 FLAGLER
FIRST INNING SURGE PROPELS NIGHTHAWKS PAST FLAGLER ON DAY TWO OF THE PBC TOURNAMENT
DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team erupted for seven runs in the opening inning and never looked back, defeating Flagler, 12-2, on day two of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Saturday.
Both teams entered the matchup coming off opening-day victories, but the Nighthawks quickly seized control with an explosive first frame. North Georgia sent 13 batters to the plate and tallied four hits, highlighted by RBI knocks from Brody Yeomans, Caleb Farr and Hunter Thompson. A sacrifice fly from Cam Hodge and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Yeomans capped the seven-run outburst.
Flagler got on the board in the second inning with a solo home run from Payton Palladino, but the Nighthawks answered immediately. Farr delivered an RBI double before JD Coleman added a run-scoring double and later came home on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 10-1.
The Saints added a run in the fourth on a sacrifice bunt, but the Nighthawks continued to add insurance. Yeomans drove in two more runs with a single through the right side in the bottom of the fourth to push the advantage to 12-2.
Yeomans led the offensive effort, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Farr finished 2-for-3 with three RBI. Thompson also contributed a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
On the mound, Andrew Duval (9-2) delivered a strong outing, allowing just two runs on four hits over seven innings. The left-hander struck out five and walked two in the victory.
With the win, North Georgia moves one step closer to the PBC Championship Series and will face the winner of Georgia Southwestern and Flagler on Sunday. The Nighthawks need just one more victory to advance to the conference title round
#2 LANDER 4-3 #7 GCSU
THREE-RUN EIGHT SENDS LANDER TO BRACKET FINAL
GREENWOOD - The Lander baseball team trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth but used a pair of wild pitches to tie the game before a Cooper Backmansacrifice fly gave the Bearcats a 4-3 win over Columbus State on Saturday afternoon in the winner's bracket game of the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament.
Lander advances to the bracket final and will await the winner of Sunday's elimination game. USC Aiken defeated Georgia College earlier in the day, but weather pushed the Pacers' matchup with Columbus State to Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner will face Lander 30 minutes after the conclusion of that game and must win twice to advance.
Starting pitching dominated as both starters worked 7.1 innings. Jake Larson allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out two.
Lander opened the scoring in the second inning on a Lowndes Still sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single before taking the lead in the eighth. Joshua Sanchezentered with one out and struck out the first batter he faced before inducing a ground ball that deflected off his leg, allowing a run to score. Columbus State added another run on an RBI single to go ahead 3-1.
Lander responded in the bottom half. Singles from Brody Winter and Riley Hood put two on before a double steal moved both runners into scoring position. Carter McCormick then drew a walk to load the bases, and consecutive wild pitches scored Winter and pinch runner Dalton Stroud to tie the game.
Backman followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Caleb McKitrick and give the Bearcats the lead.
Evan Demurias retired the Cougars in order in the ninth, ending the game with a strikeout to send Lander to the bracket final.
Tickets for the game are available at landerbearcats.com/pbctix
#5 GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN 11-10 #8 MIDDLE GEORGIA (12 INNINGS)
A WILD RIDE ENDS: CANES SPLIT SATURDAY, SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE
DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- Georgia Southwestern's season came down to one long, chaotic afternoon and evening at Bob Stein Stadium - and for a few hours Saturday, it felt like the Hurricanes might just outlast everyone.
Instead, they delivered one final rally, one final push, and ultimately one final chapter.
Saturday's Top Performers
- Josh McDonald: 4-for-7, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB
- Evan Wainman: 3-for-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- Jacob Reeves: 4-for-10, 2B, GW RBI vs. MGA
- Drew Reaves: HR, 2 RBI vs. MGA
- Cooper Sain: 3.2 IP, 0 R, 3 K, Win vs. MGA
- Wade Johnson: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 11 K
Hurricanes Outlast Middle Georgia in 12-Inning Thriller
In an elimination game that had just about everything, Georgia Southwestern survived a wild back-and-forth battle to defeat Middle Georgia State, 11-10, in 12 innings.
The Hurricanes looked in control early, powered by a barrage of home runs. Josh McDonald jumpstarted the offense with a three-run shot in the third, and GSW piled on in the fifth as Evan Wainman (11) launched a two-run homer before McDonald (6) struck again with his second long ball of the day.
When Drew Reaves (5) added a two-run homer in the seventh, GSW had built a 9-3 cushion and seemed poised to cruise.
But nothing about this game came easy.
Middle Georgia State erupted for six runs in the ninth - capitalizing on three defensive miscues - to tie the game at 10-10 and force extra innings.
From there, it became a battle of survival.
After multiple scoreless frames, the Hurricanes finally broke through in the 12th. Pinch hitter Edwin Melendez sparked the rally with a single, and moments later, Jacob Reeves delivered the walk-off knock - scoring Melendez on a play extended by an outfield error to seal the 11-10 win.
Out of the bullpen, Cooper Sain provided a critical steadying presence, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and keep GSW alive.
Season Ends in Nightcap Against Flagler
Less than an hour later, the Hurricanes were back on the field for another elimination game - this time against Flagler - with the toll of the earlier marathon evident.
GSW struck first, manufacturing a run in the opening inning, and later pulled within 4-2 in the seventh on an RBI double from Wainman. But despite putting traffic on the bases throughout the night - GSW left nine runners on base compared to the Saints three - the Hurricanes couldn't find the timely hit they needed.-
Flagler capitalized on a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning to build a lead, and their pitching staff made it hold up, turning four double plays to stifle multiple GSW threats.
Wade Johnson delivered a strong outing on the mound, striking out 11 over eight innings, without walking a batter, while allowing just four hits, but defensive miscues proved costly in the 4-2 loss.
A Season of Growth and Milestones
While the tournament run and season came to an end Saturday night, the 2026 campaign marked a step forward for the Hurricanes.
GSW secured its highest Peach Belt Conference win total in three seasons and made its fifth consecutive appearance in the PBC Tournament - continuing a run of consistency within one of Division II's toughest leagues.
Individually and collectively, the numbers underscored the program's upward trajectory:
- Evan Wainman capped his All-PBC First Team season with a .364 average (9th in program history in the NCAA era) and a .612 slugging percentage (2nd all-time).
- Devon Murphy drove in 58 runs, the third-highest single-season total in program history.
- Evan Koehler recorded 119 strikeouts, the third-most in a season by a Hurricane.
- As a team, GSW hit .303 (3rd in program history) with a .436 slugging percentage (2nd all-time).
And fittingly, their season finale reflected much of what defined them all year - power at the plate, resilience under pressure, and a refusal to go quietly.
For at least one more game, that fight was enough to keep the Hurricanes playing.
Until it wasn't.
#3 USCA 7-4 #7 GCSU
PACERS RACE PAST BOBCATS
GREENWOOD, S.C. – The USCA baseball team jumped out to a 6-0 lead and posted a 7-4 victory over Georgia College Saturday in an elimination game at the PBC Tournament.
The Pacers are now 36-16 on the season.
Head coach Keith Gorman's team opened the scoring in the first inning. With one down, Chancellor Jennings ripped a single up the middle and swiped second. After walks to Yariel Diaz and Blake Martin to load the bases, Salvatore Laimo lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Jennings. Martin swiped second and Diaz scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead.
In the second frame, Johann Rodriguez belted a single up the middle. With one down, Evan Harding drew a walk. Jennings poked a single through the left side, driving in Rodriguez. Diaz doubled home Harding and Jennings before a Blake Martin double drove in Diaz for a 6-0 advantage.
Leading 6-4 in the sixth, Osmin Melendez walked. Harding reached on a fielding error and Diaz earned a base on balls. With the bases full, Martin drew a walk, plating Melendez for a 7-4 lead.
For the game, Diaz, Jennings and Martin had two hits apiece. Diaz and Martin each dove in two runs. Diaz and Jennings each crossed home twice.
On the mound, Brady Dunlop tossed four innings and had two strikeouts. Kyle Stock and Myles Chabi each worked a frame. CJ Lincoln threw three innings of shutout ball to get the win.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m., when they square off against Columbus State in an elimination game. The winner of that contest takes on No. 2 Lander 30 minutes after the completion of the game. Live stats and video (pay-per-view) will be available at PacerSports.com.
#4 FLAGLER 4-2 #5 GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN
SAINTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HURRICANE MISCUES AND ADVANCE
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Flagler College took advantage of some errors committed by Georgia Southwestern State University and scored two unearned runs in the fifth inning, which proved to be the difference in a 4-2 win in an elimination game of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Saturday night at Bob Stein Stadium.
Flagler improved to 35-17 overall and will face No. 11 (ABCA Division II Top 30) University of North Georgia tomorrow at 1 p.m. If the Saints win, the two teams will play one more game to decide who will advance to play in the league's championship series. Georgia Southwestern's season ended at 28-25.
Cael Reish led off the fifth by reaching on an error by the Hurricane first baseman and then was able to advance to second base. Patrick Mazzamaro bunted Reish over to third. Reish scored on a fielder's choice. Taylor Shultz hit a ball back to the pitcher, on the first base side of the mound, who tried to get Reish at the plate, but his flip to the catcher was too late. Shultz stole a base and went to third on a passed ball and scored on another error as George Gilson's grounder to second base was mishandled.
That was all Garrett Wright (6-2) need as he was credited with the win after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He struck out five batters. Logan Brown closed the game and tossed a scoreless 2.1 innings and surrendered just one hit.
AJ Hunerberg collected two singles and scored a run for Flagler. Eli Maddox belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the first.
Wade Johnson (4-2) went the distance as Georgia Southwestern had gone through four pitchers in the elimination game before this one, which was a 12-inning game. He scattered four hits and allowed four runs, two of which were earned, and he struck out 11.
Evan Wainman went 2-for-3 with a double and one run batted in.
NOTE: Flagler tied its season-high with four double plays turned in the game. The Saints have turned 51 so far this season, which ranks fourth in the country in NCAA Division II.