GREENWOOD – Derek Johns blasted a two-run, home run in the eighth inning Friday night to lead the Georgia College & State University baseball team to a 4-2 Peach Belt Conference victory over Lander at Legion Field. The two teams will complete their three-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

GCSU improves to 19-16 overall and 5-8 in the PBC, while Lander slips to 16-16, 6-7.

The Bobcats' Brandon Owens (5-1) earned the victory in relief as he allowed just one hit in one inning pitched. Michael Newman was credited with the save.

Lander's Daniel Hinchberger (4-3) suffered the loss as he struck out seven, walked two and allowed four earned runs on nine hits in 7.2 innings pitched.

GCSU took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Pete Paris tripled down the right field line and scored on Johns' RBI single to left field.

The Bearcats claimed their first lead at 2-1 in the sixth inning thanks to TJ Guinan's two-RBI double which scored Robert Skinner and Gabe McCann.

In addition to Johns' homer in the eighth, Danny McCorkell tripled and scored on Andrew Evans' RBI single.

For GCSU, Johns went 2-for-4 with three RBI, McCorkell went 1-for-3 with one triple, Paris went 1-for-4 with one triple and Brooks Robinson went 2-for-5.

For Lander, Skinner went 1-for-3 with one double, Guinan went 1-for-4 with one double and Brooks Arnette went 2-for-4.