PENSACOLA, Fla. – No. 23 UWF baseball (27-11, 17-5 GSC) dropped its series finale vs. Auburn Montgomery (17-24, 6-18 GSC) 11-3 Saturday at Jim Spooner Field. Nick Kerkmann finished with three of the Argos' 13 hits, but UWF could not overcome an early deficit that stood at 9-0 in the third inning.
"Give AUM credit. They did a great job. They came out with a lot more energy and focus," said UWF head coach Mike Jeffcoat. "Really disappointed. With a chance to sweep at home on Saturday, we just didn't get it done. We got outplayed."
Kirk Maddox (3-5) got the start and lasted only into the second, giving up five runs (four earned) while walking two and striking out one. He gave way to Jared Middleton, whom the Warhawks tagged for four runs to build a 9-0 lead going to the bottom of the fourth.
"We did not get a good start out of Maddox. Got to help your team get out of the gate," said Jeffcoat. "Seems like we're giving up runs right there in the first inning immediately, and the rest of the bullpen didn't do much better."
Joey Bend scored UWF's first run after reaching in the fourth and finished the game with two hits plus an RBI. Kerkmann led all Argo bats with three hits. Matt Sullivan picked up two doubles to go to a GSC-best 17 on the season. Mike Branche and Trevor Payne also racked up two hits. Payne reached base seven times in the final two games of the series. UWF stranded 11 runners and hit into two double plays.
"I think we scattered 13 hits, about the same amount they had, but we only had three runs and they had 11," said Jeffcoat. "That kind of tells you the story right there. It's tough when you're playing from behind and we got behind early on. Just could not tack a run or kind of close the gap."
Jared Gonzalez was able to stabilize the pitching situation after Maddox and Middleton exited, going three innings while surrendering just one hit and no runs. Whitt Davis and Matt Whetstone combined to finish the game on the mound for the Argos.
No. 23 UWF dropped to 18-4 at home this season with the loss. Nathan Langley (3-1), who also led off the Warhawks and racked up three hits and three runs, picked up the win by going 5.2 innings and allowing eight hits and one run (one earned). Connor Smith picked up his first save by throwing three-plus innings in relief.
The Argos next travel to North Georgia (22-15, 14-9 PBC) Tuesday and Wednesday for a two-game series. First pitch in Dahlonega Tuesday is set for 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT.
"We're going to be challenged to the max," said Jeffcoat of the upcoming trip to face the Nighthawks. "If we show up like we did today, it's going to be a very disappointing road trip. We've got to get some things straightened out in the next two days. Hopefully, philosophically, making sure we're playing for a lot of pride, making sure what we're playing for - not just ourselves - so we can go up to North Georgia and represent."
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