WILSON, NC (Feb. 27, 2026) - Georgian Court Baseball put themselves in an early hole and nearly dug themselves all the way out. They surrendered seven first-inning runs to St. Thomas Aquinas, and despite a pair of homers in the ninth, fell short in a 12-10 loss to the Spartan.

How it Happened
• Both teams were spraying the ball across the field as St. Thomas Aquinas scored 12 runs on 13 hits. The Lions picked up 12 hits and scored 10 runs.
• GCU made two errors in the field, but didn't allow an unearned run. STAC allowed three unearned runs to score after committing one error.
• St. Thomas Aquinas pitchers struck out 14 Lion hitters. GCU limited their walks, issuing six free passes.
• The Lions left seven on base while STAC stranded nine runners.
• St. Thomas Aquinas plated seven runs before the Lions came to bat in the home half of the first. With the bases full, a single and an error in the outfield allowed all three runs to score.
• The Spartans got four more run-scoring hits in the inning to take the early, commanding lead.
• Things weren't looking better to start the second for the Lions. Four batters into the inning, all four reach and a run was in. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Donovan Gevers got out of the jam with a strikeout and two ground balls.
• Georgian Court got some runs back in the bottom of the second. All with two outs, Arian Lunar doubled to bring home Evangelos Spyrogiannis. Oliver Santana followed that with a two-RBI single to single to make it an 8-3 game.
• After two scoreless innings, STAC got their eight-run lead back on one swing in the fifth. A two-out three-run home run pushed the Spartan lead to 11-3.
• GCU plated three more in the seventh with a Zinny Kemahu single and two more runs coming from as Matt DiOttavio went deep to center.
• A wild pitch gave STAC another run in the eighth then things started to get very wild in the bottom of the ninth.
• Trailing 12-6, GCU made it 12-8 as JP Mahoney drew a walk and Brian Guzman drove them both in with a home run to left.
• STAC got the next two out, but a hit batter and a Spyrogiannis long ball made it a 12-10 game. 
• The Spartans went to their bullpen with two out and the bases empty and got a strikeout to end the game, hanging on 12-10. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Brian Guzman had a three-hit day with a home run and two RBI.
• Evangelos Spyrogiannis went deep and scored two runs.
• Arian Lunar doubled, drove in a run and scored.
• Matt DiOttavio's lone hit was a home run to knock in a pair.
• Jackson Cooper threw three innings allowing one run on two hits.
• Eduardo Eble-Lacouture pitched 1.1 shutout innings.

For the Spartans
• Anthony DiMarco finished 2-6 with a home run and three RBI.
• Andrew Schoelles got the win on the mound throwing five innings allowing just three unearned runs with seven strikeouts.
• CJ Cumbo had two hits including a double and scored twice. 
• Lorent Hoti struck out the only batter he faced to close the door and earn the save. 

News and Notes
• Oliver Santana made his season debut atop the Lions batting order after missing opening weekend.
• Matt DiOttavio hit his first career home run.
• The Lions 10 runs are their most in a game this season.

Up Next
• Georgian Court is in action twice tomorrow. They start with a game at 12:30 pm against Clarion. The nightcap first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 once again against St. Thomas Aquinas.