ETSU freshman outfielder Matt Traylor recorded his second consecutive game-winning home run against Georgia Southern, leading the Bucs to a 5-3 victory over the Eagles after a two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth Saturday afternoon from Cardinal Park in Johnson City.
Buccaneer starter Reid Casey held the Eagles (21-14, 9-5) without a hit until the top of the fifth when Matt Herring singled to center. He kept Georgia Southern off the scoreboard until they plated three runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead.
Georgia Southern center fielder Chris Walker led off the seventh with a single to left field and scored on a triple by the second batter of the inning, third baseman Rocky Baker. Shortstop Jemel Spearman then singled to right field to score Baker. Spearman advanced to second on an error, then moved to third on a groundout by right fielder Matt Herring. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Eagle first baseman Grant Burress.
The Eagles would take that 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth. With Moore, senior infielder Brandon Cross and senior pinch-hitter Scott Rose loading the bases, senior right fielder Kirk Keithley hit a dribbler to first. Keithley beat the throw to first, as Moore scored on the hit and Rose scored on a subsequent error.
Casey retired the Eagles in order in the top of the ninth, giving the Bucs a chance to win the game.
Senior infielder Ryan Hyder singled to left field to lead off the final inning. With one out, Traylor turned on an inside pitch on a 1-1 count, hitting it over the wall down the right field line.
Casey (4-4) picked up the win for the Buccaneers, pitching a complete game while allowing two earned runs, on five hits while striking out seven Eagles.
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