Friday, February 19
Ring, Burgess Carry A-State to 14-5 Season-Opening Win against UAB
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (2/19/16) – The Arkansas State baseball team got two, four-RBI performances from Tanner Ring and Matt Burgess as the Red Wolves defeated UAB 14-5 in the 2016 season opener Friday at Regions Field in Birmingham, Ala.
The 14 runs are tied for the third most on opening day in school history and the win marks the first time in the Tommy Raffo era A-State has won a season opener on the road. The season-opening road win is the first time an Arkansas State team has started a season 1-0 on the road since an 8-6 win over Northeast Louisiana (now ULM) to begin the 1997 season.
A-State struck first in the game without recording a hit after Ty White and Joe Schrimpf led off the game with a hit-by-pitch and walk, respectively, with White scoring on a Ring RBI groundout to make it 1-0. Schrimpf scored during the next at-bat on a wild pitch for the Red Wolves to earn an early 2-0 advantage.
UAB (0-1) scored a run on an A-State error to make the tally 2-1 in the bottom of the second, but the visitors struck back in the top of the third. Schrimpf walked after the first two batters grounded out to begin the inning before Austin Baker delivered the team’s first hit of the season to put runners on first and second. Ring stepped up to the plate and launched a monster home run to left field to set the score at 5-1.
The Red Wolves kept the pressure on in the top of the fourth when Jeremy Brown hit a two-run bomb to left field to plate Burgess, who reached earlier in the inning on an error, to put the score at 7-1. The Blazers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs against A-State starter Tyler Zuber, but Zuber induced a 6-4-3 double play that scored one UAB run. Esteban Tresgallo doubled to left-center field to plate another run as UAB inched to within 7-3.
The Blazers got within 7-4 on a double play ground out in the sixth inning, but the Red Wolves struck back with four runs in the top of the seventh. Three of those runs scored on a Burgess double down the left-field line before another run came in on a Blazers’ error to put the score at 11-4. UAB scored one run in the bottom of the inning to make the A-State lead 11-5.
Burgess was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth to make the score 12-5 before Tony Ortiz drove in the first run of his career on a sacrifice fly and another scored on an error to set the final mark of 14-5.
Coulton Lee got the win out of the bullpen after working 2.1 innings in relief of Zuber and allowing two runs on three hits. Cody Jackson finished the game with 2.2 innings of shutout baseball as the senior from Hot Springs, Ark., allowed one hit and struck out three while walking none. Zuber went the first four innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
Eight of A-State’s starting nine registered at least one hit with Garrett Rucker and Brown leading the way with two apiece. Rucker also scored two runs while Brown drove in two.
Panthers Freshman Zackery Delivers in 12th Inning with Walk-off in First Collegiate At-Bat
ATLANTA -- Freshman Israel Zackery's walkoff single with two outs in the 12th inning lifted GSU to a 3-2 win over Western Michigan on Opening Day at the GSU Baseball Complex, backing a strong pitching effort led by starter Cole Uvila.
The game was scoreless until the 11th inning. Western Michigan scored the game's first two runs in the top of the 11th, but the Panthers answered with two in the bottom of the frame on Jack Thompson's sacrifice fly and Joey Roach's RBI-groundout.
Uvila, the senior right-hander, allowed five hits in seven shutout innings with six strikeouts and just one walk but did not figure in the decision.
Senior reliever Alex Hegner followed with 1.1 scoreless innings, and then senior closer Wayne Wages came on with one out in the eighth and still no runs on the board for either team. Wages (1-0) finished the game with 3.2 innings to earn the victory.
Georgia State fell behind 2-0 in the 11th after as the Broncos pushed across two two-out runs on Alex Goodwyn's single that dropped into shallow center field and then Hunter Prince's ground ball through the left side.
Pinch-hitter Brandon Gonzalez and center fielder Ryan Blanton led off the bottom of the 11th with back-to-back singles, and then Jaylen Woullard beat out a bunt to load the bases with no outs.
Thompson hit a fly ball to right center to score the Panthers' first run, and then Roach's hard ground ball to second base tied the game at 2-2.
After Wages set down the Broncos in order in the top of the 12th, Jarrett Hood smashed a one-out double to right field. With two outs, Zackery, in his first collegiate at-bat, fell behind 0-2 against WMU reliever Jack Szott. After fouling off two pitches and then taking ball one, he delivered a single up the middle to score Hood from second.
Western Michigan starter Keegan Akin was also outstanding, striking out 11 in six scoreless innings. The left-hander is a highly-regarded prospect who was one of the top pitchers in the Cape Cod League last summer.
"An unbelievable well-pitched game on both sides," head coach Greg Frady said. "So many heroes, but the story of the game was about our pitching tonight, led by Cole Uvila. That was by far the best I've seen Cole Uvila pitch. He pitched like a veteran, under control with three pitches working and a fantastic tempo.
"Cole was definitely supported tonight by our defense, particularly by our outfield."
Blanton, the Panthers' all-conference center fielder, had two outfield assists and covered a lot of ground on several running catches. Western Michigan looked like they would score a run in the first inning, but Blanton cut off a ball in left center and threw to shortstop Andy Burnett, who made a perfect relay to the plate to cut down the runner. In the sixth inning, after Uvila's only walk of the game, Blanton made a long running catch in right center and then doubled off the runner at first.
The Atlanta Challenge continues Saturday as the Panthers host VCU, an NCAA Super Regional Team in 2015, at 2 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Little Rock Falls to Indiana State in Season Opener
LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock baseball (0-1) opened its 2016 season with a 7-2 loss to Indiana State (2-0) after Indiana State beat Oral Roberts earlier in the afternoon.
Little Rock had a pair of batters with multiple hits in newcomers Hunter Owens and Dalton Thomas. Owens finished 2 for 3 with a double, a run and a walk while Thomas hit 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run.
The very first inning saw Indiana State score three runs in the top of the inning. With one out, Cody Garner walked on four straight pitches before a single to left side by Hunter Owen advanced him to second. Andy Young then walked to the load the bases for the Sycamores. After a Dane Giesler strikeout, Kaden Moore singled to center and picked up two RBIs as Gardner and Owen scored. With runners on the corners, a wild pitch scored Young to put Indiana State up 3-0 early.
In the bottom half of the inning, Owens doubled through the left side in his inaugural at-bat with Little Rock. Owens then advanced to third on a Trojan fly-out. Thomas hit a RBI ground out to short as Owens crossed the plate for Little Rock's first run, decreasing the Sycamores' lead to 3-1.
The top of the third inning saw Owen get on base with a leadoff single through the right side. Young singled to left to put runners and first and second with no outs. Giesler picked up an RBI on a single up the middle as Owen scored from second. Cody Daylor then came on to pitch for Little Rock starter Jarrid Garcia. A sacrifice fly to right by Moore plated Young to increase Indiana State's lead to 5-1.
Indiana State added another run in the fourth inning. Owen earned his second double of the game with one out. After Young walked for the second time, Giesler delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Owen and increasing the Sycamore lead to 6-1.
Little Rock fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Dalton Thomas got an infield single to short to begin the frame. With two outs, Nik Gifford walked on seven pitches and put runners on first and second. Zach Baker hit an RBI single through the left side as Thomas scored the Trojans second run of the game.
Up 6-2, Indiana State added one more before calling it a night. With two outs, Young singled through the left side and advanced on a passed ball with Giesler at the plate. Before Giesler walked, Young stole third base to put runners on the corners. Moore earned his second hit and fourth RBI of the game with a single to left center. That was all the damage Indiana State would have to do as Little Rock failed to score the rest of the game. The Sycamores' Ryan Keafabber picked up the win after going 7.1 innings with a seven hits, two earned runs, a strikeout and four walks.
"Indiana State didn't put us away, and we were able to hang around," head coach Chris Curry said. "What was frustrating for me was us having eight total walks. That's where we start and end with our pitching staff. They have some mature, older hitters back who can really handle a fastball when you're behind in the count, and they did the damage. Offensively, I liked our approach. We took good swings, but we left some runners on base as well."
Also picking up hits were Matt McDowell and Hayden Martin as both earned singles.
Little Rock returns to Gary Hogan Field tomorrow as it hosts the Big 12's Kansas at 3 p.m.
Mavericks Take Down No. 11 Oklahoma State in Opening Day Twin-Bill Split
ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington Mavericks split an Opening Day doubleheader on Friday on the first day of the Clay Gould Classic, taking down No. 7 Oklahoma State in the opener before falling to Stephen F. Austin in the nightcap at Clay Gould Ballpark.
The Mavs continue the Clay Gould Classic on Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. meeting with the Cowboys before concluding the weekend with a matinee game vs. SFA on Sunday.
Game 1
UT Arlington 3, No. 7 Oklahoma State 2
Joel Kuhnel tossed six strong innings and the Mavericks (1-1) struck for three runs in the first three innings before holding on for the 3-2 win over the nationally-ranked Cowboys.
It was the first time in program history the Mavs have hosted a ranked opponent in a season opener and UTA did not disappoint early on, putting together a two-out rally in the bottom of the first that culminated in a RBI single from Quintin Rohrbaugh to score Christian Hollie. That gave UTA a 1-0 lead against Cowboys' starter Trey Cobb, who took the loss after throwing 5.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Two innings later the Mavs offense got going again, getting the first two runners on to open the frame to start things off. But it was the two-out offense once again that did the damage as Colton Turner and Darien McLemore each delivered RBI singles to push the UTA lead to 3-0.
That was plenty for Kuhnel and the pen as Kuhnel picked up the win after allowing just one unearned run on his day. He retired 10 in a row early in the game after a walk to open the contest. The junior righty was relieved to open the seventh inning and the Maverick bullpen did the rest, highlighted by 1.1 innings of perfect relief from Adam Meyer that included leaving a pair of runners on base in a 3-2 game in the top of the seventh.
Daniel James then came on in the ninth to record his first save of the year, but had to work to finish it off. Pinch hitter Colin Simpson tripled with two outs in the OSU ninth, but James coaxed a soft grounder out of leadoff man Garrett McCain to close things out.
Game 2
Stephen F. Austin 12, UT Arlington 1
After the win in the opener, the second game of the day did not start off nearly as well as SFA jumped out to an early 8-1 lead after just four innings and took advantage of five UTA miscues to pick up a 12-1 win.
Jarred Greene was solid on the bump for the 'Jacks (1-0) in picking up the win after 5.1 innings of work and five strikeouts. He surrendered just one run on the day, a solo home run to Hollie in the bottom of the first inning that tied things up at 1-1.
But SFA added on quickly after that, getting to UTA starter Kadon Simmons for three more runs in the top of the second and chasing him from the mound after just 2.1 innings.
UTA got a solid showing from freshman Dylan Schneider with 2.2 innings of relief with one earned run and three strikeouts, but saw three other bullpen arms surrender eight walks and five more Lumberjack scores.
The Mavs finished with just five hits in the second game after seven in the first, with Hollie's dinger providing the only run.
Bulldogs Stymie Eagles in Season opener, 4-1
ATHENS, GA. – Georgia Southern Baseball dropped the season opener, 4-1 at Georgia. A leadoff walk in the third and a long home run in the sixth did the damage for the Bulldogs. The Eagles mounted a late rally, scratching a run in the eighth and leaving two runners aboard in the frame. Georgia Southern and Georgia will return to Foley Field on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for game two of the three-game set.
WORDS FROM THE SKIPPER
"Robert Tyler was really good for them and we really didn't pressure them defensively," said Head Coach Rodney Hennon. "We were able to pressure them a few times late and we had the tying run on base in the eighth, but we couldn't get it done. It was a very clean game defensively for both teams and Evan Challenger pitched pretty well. A leadoff walk and a mistake hurt him, but Landon Hughes did a great job out of the bullpen. Really, we've just got to come out and be better tomorrow."
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Landon Hughes – RHP – JR – Marietta, Ga.
Hughes came on for Evan Challenger down four in the sixth and recorded the next nine outs in order with a strikeout. The transfer junior made his Georgia Southern debut and successfully held the Bulldogs at bay down the stretch.
THE PLAY THAT WON THE GAME
The Bulldogs played small ball in the third inning to take the lead. A leadoff walk to Webb, followed by a single by Sullivan put two runners aboard. Moody bunted to advance the runners, while an infield ground out by King and a single by Webber plated the game's first two runs.
NOTES
- CJ Brazil showed he has good speed for a catcher, beating out the season's first base hit and stealing a base in the third.
- Georgia's Robert Tyler, a preseason All-American, struck out 13 Georgia Southern batters in his five innings of work. He earned the win after losing the first game of the series last year.
- CJ Ballard beat out a pair of bunt singles on back-to-back at bats in the sixth and eighth innings. His first was a surprise squeeze attempt while the second was a perfectly placed sacrifice job that the defense had no chance at.
- The Eagles struck out 18 total times on the night, that was the most since May 12, 2015 when the Eagles were retired 19 times on strikes at home against Kennesaw State.
NEXT GAME
Game two of the three-game set is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The radio call of the game can be heard on the Georgia Southern Sports Network with Kris Draper on the call. The series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a game that can be seen on SEC Network + at WatchESPN.com.
No. 23 Coastal Carolina Defeats Mountaineers in Opener
CONWAY, S.C. — Appalachian State University baseball issued 10 walks, hit four batters and stranded 14 baserunners in a 17-2 season-opening loss to No. 23 Coastal Carolina on Friday afternoon at CCU’s Springs Brooks Stadium.
Coastal Carolina (1-0) needed only 14 hits to plate its 17 runs, as six Chanticleers that reached on walks or hit batters came around to score. A costly App State error also led directly to two CCU runs.
Appalachian State (0-1) also benefited from six walks, three hit batters and three Coastal Carolina errors. However, the Mountaineers were 4-for-22 with runners on base and 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position while the Chanticleers were 10-for-25 with runners on base and 8-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
CCU led 5-0 after one inning and 15-0 after five before Appalachian scored its two runs on an RBI groundout by true freshman Colin Schmid and a run-scoring single by true freshman Jason Curtis in the top of the seventh.
Starting pitcher Bobby Hampton, another true freshman, was saddled with the loss after issuing seven walks and surrendering nine runs in 2.1 innings of work. The southpaw threw just 42-of-89 pitches for strikes in his collegiate debut.
In all, nine of the 22 Mountaineers that saw action on Friday were freshmen and 14-of-22 were underclassmen.
Appalachian State returns to action in the Caravelle Resort Tournament on Friday when it takes on defending national champion Virginia (1-0) at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
South Alabama Holds off Evansille for 5-4 Win
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team used a five-run third inning and a quality start from Kevin Hill to defeat the Evansville Purple Aces 5-4 Friday in the series opener at Stanky Field.
Hill (1-0) struck out 10 and issued three walks while allowing three unearned runs on just one hit to earn the win. Right-hander Mike Dolloff recorded the final two outs of the game to earn his first career save at USA.
"Kevin deserved a better fate than giving up three runs, but then again so did their (Evansville) guy," Calvi said. "But that's the game of baseball. Early on, you hope you pitch and play better defense than the opposition. All in all, I will take it. I give Evansville credit. They have had some weather issues up there, but their kids hung tough and played well. We're looking for another tough game tomorrow."
Hill struck out the side in his first inning of work. The lone hit he surrendered in the game came an inning later on a one-out single to left field by Travis Tokarek, but the right-hander quickly followed with a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.
South Alabama (1-0) then broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. A pair of one-out singles by Brendan Donovan and Matt Bolger, followed by a hit by pitch to Dylan Hardy loaded the bases. Drew LaBounty then reached on a fielder's choice after UE second baseman Trey Hair's throw to second on a potential inning-ending double play sailed wide into left field to allow Donovan and Bolger to score the game's first two runs. Cole Billingsley then drew a walk before Danny Martinez delivered an RBI single into center field to plate Hardy for a 3-0 lead. Jared Barnes followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to score LaBounty and give the Jags a 4-0 advantage. Carter Perkins then delivered an RBI single back up the middle for a 5-0 lead.
Evansville pushed its first run of the game across in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Hair that scored Josh Jyawook, who reached on a fielding error by Hardy in left field to lead off the inning.
The Purple Aces loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth on consecutive walks issued by Hill, after the right-hander walked Tokarek to lead off the inning. UE then pushed two runs across on a fielding error by Hardy in left field on a fly ball off the bat of Jyawook to cut the USA lead to 5-3.
UE (0-1) added the game's final run in top of the eighth on a one-out solo home run to right field by Hair.
"It's good to get the first one under I belt," Calvi said. "We have some new guys out there and they got the first one under the belts as well. I thought we pitched very well, and took advantage of a defensive mistake on their (Evansville) part that would have ended the inning. We were advantageous there; they gave us an opening and we took advantage of it with five (runs) in the third. We knew their starting pitcher had a good arm with good movement on his pitches; he's very hard to square up and I feel very fortunate that we were able to get those five runs in the third."
The series will continue with game two Saturday at 2 p.m. at Stanky Field.
No. 13 UL Lafayette wins in Walk-off Fashion, 2-1, over Sam Houston State
Story to Follow
Warhawks Fall to SE Louisiana in Pitchers Duel
HAMMOND, La. -- In a game that featured just five combined hits, ULM dropped a 2-0 decision Friday night to Southeastern Louisiana at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
Despite earning a no decision, ULM starter Brayden Bouchey was strong on the bump as he pitched into the sixth inning and kept the Lions off of the scoreboard while striking out a career-best eight batter.
Over the course of the first three innings, neither team managed a hit. The two squads combined to just strand one runner on base over the course of the first third of the game.
ULM center fielder Cade Stone led off the top of the fourth with a double to left center and later moved to third but he was left stranded just 90 feet from home.
In the bottom half of the frame, Southeastern Louisiana put a pair on as Jameson Fisher was hit by a pitch and Daniel Midyett drew a walk. The Lions would be held off the scoreboard as a fielder’s choice and a strikeout ended the inning.
In the sixth, the homestanding Lions threatened, but again came up empty. Derrick Mount walked to lead off the inning and Fisher followed with a single to center. After a sacrifice bunt, the Warhawks made a pitching change as Keller Bradford replaced the starter Bouchey. After a walk loaded the bases, ULM was able to escape the jam as Bradford notched his first strikeout as a Warhawk, Mount was tagged out trying to sneak home.
Two innings later, Southeastern broke the scoreless tie as Fisher drove in Jacob Seward with a one-out RBI single to center field. Later in the inning, Fisher raced home on a wild pitch to push the Lions lead to 2-0.
ULM was able to put a pair on with two outs in the ninth thanks to a single by Tyler Cox and a walk by Anthony Herrera; however, the visiting Warhawks were unable to push any runs across and extend the contest.
Warhawk reliever Ethan Daily was tagged with the loss after allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks.
Lion starter Kyle Cedotal went the distance as he earned the win in his season debut. Cedotal surrendered two hits and one walk over the course of his nine innings on the mound.
Game two of the series is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday. ULM will send Josh Leone to the hill and Southeastern Louisiana will counter with Mac Sceroler.
Texas State Defeats Washington State, 6-2
SAN MARCOS, Texas – With the first swing of his collegiate career, freshman Jonathan Ortega ignited the crowd at Bobcat Ballpark Friday night. The leadoff man knocked a home run to put the Bobcats up 1-0, and the rest of the bats came through to support Lucas Humpal and the defense in a 6-2 victory over Washington State to start the 2016 season.
Seven different Bobcats struck a hit in the game with Ortega leading the way on a 2-for-3 night with two RBIs and a run. After him, six other Bobcats finished with a hit while Cody Lovejoy, Tanner Hill and Jared Huber all adding RBIs. Hill’s came on a solo home run from the powerful senior. In all, the Bobcats tallied eight hits on the night with five RBIs and six runs.
Humpal was strong from the mound in seven innings of work. He gave up seven hits, but only two runs and a walk with six strikeouts, winning the matchup against Washington State’s ace and likely first round pick in this summer’s MLB Draft, Ian Hamilton.
Ortega wasted no time adjusting to collegiate pitching in the first at-bat of his Texas State career. He watched one pitch go by to get a feel for it, then sent the second pitch out of Bobcat Ballpark to get Texas State started with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
After Washington State answered with two runs in the top of the third, Texas State responded to tie the game. Another freshman, Nick Perez, knocked a base hit to centerfield, and Luke Sherley moved him to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Lovejoy hit a bouncer that saw its way to the outfield to plate Perez and tie the game, 2-2. The Bobcats almost pulled ahead on nice contact from Hill, but WSU left fielder Dugan Shirer was able to get under it to end the inning. Hill would show what he was capable of later.
Humpal only needed five pitches to retire three batters for Washington State in the top of the fourth, getting help from strong defensive play. After that, the Bobcats proved to be aggressive on the base paths. With Ryan Newman at second base, Huber knocked the ball to deep right center. Washington State made the catch, but Newman tagged up and went to third base. Then Newman caught the Cougars sleeping a bit and took off for home as they slow played the fly out. Newman’s run broke the tie to put the Bobcats up, 3-2.
Texas State kept the pressure on in the inning. Perez earned a walk to push Sherley to second base. With two runners on base, Ortega came up big again. He knocked a base hit to centerfield to bring in Sherley and push the score to 4-2. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Hill knocked the second home run of the game for the Bobcats with a ball that skied high over the left field fence to put Texas State up, 5-2.
Huber and Perez started the sixth inning with back-to-back walks, and Ortega advanced both of them with a sacrifice bunt. With runners at second and third, a wild pitch from Washington State’s third pitcher of the inning brought in Huber to give the Bobcats a 6-2 lead.
Humpal made quick work of the Washington State batters in the seventh inning before taking a seat, and sophomore Braden Pearson finished off the game with two hitless innings and a strikeout. Friday night’s pitching may loom over the four-game series with the Bobcats only using two pitchers to four for Washington State.
The Bobcats and Cougars will meet for their second game at 3 p.m. Saturday with Jeremy Hallonquist on the mound for the Bobcats and lefty Damon Jones for Washington State.
Troy Knocks Off Northern Kentucky in Head Coach Mark Smartt's Debut
TROY, Alabama – The Mark Smartt era for Troy baseball began in winning ways as the Trojans defeated Northern Kentucky, 10-3, in the season opener at Riddle-Pace Field on Friday night.
“I’m so proud that our team played well,” Smartt said. “To get the first win on the first night is really important for our players. For me, it’s good to get the first one out of the way. I’m really proud of how are team played, we played well in every phase of the game.”
A couple of newcomers stole the show for Troy (1-0) in true freshman Brandon Lockridge and junior college transfer Joey Denison. Lockridge went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs while Denison chipped in a 2-for-3 performance with a double and one RBI.
Troy plated one run in the second and third inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Denison scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch and later drove in the second run of the game in the third inning.
Lockridge, in his third at bat of the game, blasted a ball to left field for a three-run home run that extended the Trojan lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning.
Two sophomores helped out the Trojans offensively in the fifth and sixth innings. Reid Long hit an RBI double down the right field line in the fifth and Matt Sanders plated two with a single to center field and gave Troy an 8-0 lead.
After Northern Kentucky (0-1) scored three runs on a string of hits in the third inning, Troy answered in the eighth with its final two runs of the game.
Grant Bennett (1-0) had a stellar season opener as he pitched six innings, only allowed two hits and fanned seven to earn the win. Robert Harris came on in relief and pitched two innings. Harris only allowed one hit and struck out four, while Trey Johns closed out the ninth inning and didn’t allow a hit.
Justin Watts (0-1) suffered the loss for the Norse. He pitched four innings and gave up five runs, four earned on three hits.
Chase Smartt and Austin Hulsey earned their first hits as Trojans, while Smartt’s hit was his first at the collegiate level.
The Trojans have now won 12 of their last 14 season openers and extended their home opening win streak to eight games.
The two teams return to the diamond on Saturday for a doubleheader. The first game is slated to start at 1 p.m.