Friday, April 24
Hill Carries No-Hitter into Ninth as Jags Defeat Panthers
MOBILE, Ala. – Kevin Hill carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, and struck out a career high 15 batters in a complete-game effort to lead the University of South Alabama baseball team to an 8-0 series-opening win over Georgia State Friday at Stanky Field.
Hill (7-0) did not allow a hit until the top of the ninth when Ryan Blanton flared a singled into shallow left-center field, just out of the grasp of Jaguar shortstop Ryan Raspino. The right-hander finished with 15 strikeouts against four walks to record his second complete game of the season, and fourth of his career, while picking up his seventh consecutive win in as many starts. Hill issued a two-out walk in the top of the third, then settled in to retire the next 16 Panthers he faced before issing a leadoff walk in the eighth.
"I have never thrown a no-hitter," Hill said. "I was nervous when I went back out for the ninth inning. But I wanted to get my revenge from last year. Today was just one of those days where everything felt great."
"Kevin was completely dominant tonight," USA assistant coach Alan Luckie said. "He just did an incredible job of getting ahead of hitters and throwing five different pitches for strikes to keep them (Georgia State) off-balance all night. It's extremely difficult to comfortable in the box when you are facing someone like that, and he has velocity to go with it. He had a phenomenal night for us. It was a huge outing for him, and a huge win for us."
South Alabama (27-16, 12-7 SBC) put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the first, and scored in what resulted as the only run Hill would need. Ben Gann and Adam Ballew reached on a pair of consecutive one-out singles before Cole Gleason singled back up the middle to score Gann with the game's first run.
USA doubled its lead an inning later. Raspino reached on a two-out walk, and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt from GSU right-hander Nathan Bates at first. Cole Billingsley followed with two-out walk by Bates. Bud Collura then delivered a two-out RBI single to left field to plate Raspino for a 2-0 Jaguar advantage.
South Alabama put a runner in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the third, but was unable to push a run across. Ballew reached on a hit by pitch from Bates to lead off the inning and then stole second, but was stranded when Bates recorded consecutive strikeouts and escaped the inning with a groundout to third off the bat of Matt Bolger to keep the Panther deficit at two runs.
The Jags extended their lead to four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jared Barnes reached on a leadoff single through the left side of the infield, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Raspino. Collura then delivered a two-out RBI single into left-center field to score Barnes and push the USA lead to three runs. Gann drew a two-out walk from Bates to put runners at the corners, after a two-base throwing error by Ryan Blanton from center field allowed Collura to move to third on the single. Ballew then singled through the right side of the infield to score Collura for a 4-0 Jaguar lead.
USA pushed its lead to five runs in the bottom of the fifth when Garrett DeGallier reached on a leadoff single, and scored one batter later on a throwing error by GSU third baseman Caden Bailey on a single to third by Matt Bolger. Barnes followed with an RBI single back up the middle to score Bolger for a 6-0 Jag advantage. A two-out, two-run single to right field by Collura resulted in the final two runs of the game.
Eight Jaguar starters recorded at least one hit in the contest, led by Collura who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and tied a career high with four RBI. Barnes finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, and Ballew added two hits and an RBI.
"Eight out of nine guys hitting safely is very encouraging," Luckie said. "We've struggled swinging the bat the last week or so. Collura and Ballew each had a big night for us, but eight different kids had hits and that makes it easier to score runs."
Bates (4-1) allowed four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 3 2/3 innings in the loss.
The series will continue with game two at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Stanky Field.
Cajuns Blank UT Arlington in Season Opener, 5-0
LAFAYETTE, La. – Freshman Gunner Leger and junior Will Bacon combined to throw nine scoreless innings as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team blanked UT Arlington 5-0 in the series opener Friday night at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.
The win is the fourth straight for the Cajuns (26-15, 11-7 Sun Belt) as they have won 11 of their last 13 contests and are a season-best 11 games over .500.
Louisiana outhit the Mavericks (17-23 8-11 Sun Belt) 11-7 on the evening and has now posted double digit hits in 10 of the last 12 games.
"We pitched, we played defense and we got timely hitting," said head coach Tony Robichaux. "It's hard to lose when you do all three."
Leger was brilliant on the mound scattering five hits in seven innings while striking out six with no free passes. The left-hander allowed only one runner to reach third base in the outing as he improved his record to 5-2 on the year. Leger retired 12 straight batters from the second through the sixth inning before giving up an infield single to shortstop Travis Sibley. Bacon posted two scoreless innings in relief with two hits and a strikeout to close out the game.
Starter Chad Nack was saddled with his fourth loss of the year after giving up five runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts and two walks in a complete game effort.
Offensively, five Ragin' Cajuns batters posted multi-hit efforts in the game led by junior shortstop Blake Trahan who went 3-for-4 and scored two runs. Centerfielder Kyle Clement had a game-high three RBI coming on a double and home run.
Junior second baseman Stefan Trosclair increased his hit streak to 11 games going 2-for-4 with a double. He has now posted a hit in 23 of the last 24 games and with a hit tomorrow would equal his season best hit streak of 12 games. Trosclair also extended his conference hit streak to 13 games.
The Cajuns and Mavericks return to action Saturday at 6 p.m. at the "Tigue". Freshman right-hander Evan Guillory (3-0) will make the start as he look to give the Ragin' Cajuns their eighth series victory of the year. UTA will counter with left-hander Brad Vassar (2-5).
The contest will be broadcast live on myKLAF-TV and simulcast on ESPN3.com. Fans can also hear the game on KPEL 96.5 FM.
Louisiana quickly jumped out to 2-0 advantage in the top of the first. After Trahan singled to lead off the inning, Clement drove a double down the line in left scoring Trahan from first. Clement scored on a single through the left side of the infield by designated hitter Tyler Girouard to give the Cajuns a two-run edge.
Clement added two more runs in the bottom of the third as he launched a two-run homer off of Nack just inside the foul poll down the right field line to make the score 4-0. The home run was the fifth of the season as all five homers have come in the last nine contests.
Catcher Nick Thurman brought home the final run of the game in the fifth as he singled home Trosclair with two outs in the inning.
Eagles Sweep Doubleheader from Warhawks
STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern baseball team swept a doubleheader from the ULM Warhawks to take their sixth Sun Belt Conference series.
The Eagles improved to 26-17 overall and 16-7 in the conference after winning game one 4-2 behind a bounce back effort from Evan Challenger and game two 4-3 on a walk-off single from Cody Lanford.
The Warhawks fell to 20-23 overall and 7-13 in league play after dropping their seventh and eighth-straight road games.
Game One
Evan Challenger limited the ULM Warharwks to two runs over 6.1 innings as the Georgia Southern Eagles won game one of a doubleheader at J.I. Clements Stadium 4-2.
Chase Griffin went two for four at the plate and drove in the first run of the game with a double down the left field line in the first inning. Griffin finished with two RBI and a run scored.
The Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Dalton Busby plated Griffin and Hunter Thomas, who was hit by a pitch, with a two-RBI single up the middle to cap off the frame.
Challenger (5-0) worked four scoreless frames before Dalton Todd broke up the shutout with a RBI single in the fifth inning. Keelin Rasch drove in a two-out run with a base hit.
Challenger pitched into the seventh inning before giving way to Jason Richman. The lefthander allowed a pair of unearned runs on six hits and two walks.
Richman (3) recorded the final eight outs and stranded a pair of baserunners in the 9th inning to collect his third save of the season.
Alex Hermeling was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs over seven innings of work. Hermeling (3-6) struck out five batters, walked four and gave up five hits.
Game Two
Cody Lanford hit a walk-off single with the bases loaded in the 10th inning to complete a doubleheader sweep of the ULM Warhawks on Friday night.
The Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning again but were held scoreless over the next eight innings before scoring again in the 10th inning.
Chris Brown picked up the victory after tossing 2.2 scoreless innings and got a huge play from his defense in the 9th inning. Brown (3-3) allowed a lead off double to Anthony Herrera, but Kody Adams threw out Herrera at third base after he tried to advance on a fly out.
Herrera (1-2) came on to pitch the 10th inning and walked the bases loaded the bases with two outs. Lanford singled back up the middle to score the winning run.
Chase Griffin extended the bottom of the first with a two-out infield single and Hunter Thomas drew a walk before Dalton Busby hit a three-run home run.
Trey Setzer settled in after allowing the early runs and held GS hitless after the first inning. Setzer pitched into the fifth inning and was handed a no decision after Keelin Rasch tied the game with a two-run homer in the seventh inning.
Eagle starter Tripp Sheppard allowed one run over 5.1 innings and struck out three batters in a no decision.
The baseball team honored the five Georgia Southern University Nursing students that passed away and the two that were injured in the tragic events Wednesday with a moment of silence, helmet stickers that featured the School of Nursing logo and by painting "GSUSTRONG" on the field.
The series concludes Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. Connor Simmons (2-3, 3.29 ERA) will get the start on the mound. ULM has not announced a starter. The Eagles will honor local heroes at the game with Local Heroes Day and Sunday will also be Junior Eagle Club Sunday Funday.
Trojans Take Series Opener Behind Bennett's Complete Game
TROY, Alabama – Troy junior pitcher Grant Bennett tossed his third complete game of the season, leading the Trojans to a 3-1 win over Texas State on Friday at Riddle-Pace Field.
Bennett (8-2) proved why he is a Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year candidate as he went the distance, allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out seven. The Hazel Green, Alabama, native also pitched compete games against Arkansas State on April 11 and Georgia Southern on March 14.
The Bobcats (18-22-1, 10-9 Sun Belt) threatened in the first inning but a pair of fly balls ended the inning. Texas State would not have a runner advance past second until the sixth inning when Cory Geisler singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Geisler later scored on Granger Studdard's single to left. After that point, Bennett allowed just one hit, a single by Studdard in the ninth.
Troy (23-20, 11-8) opened the scoring in the second on an RBI single by Tripp Calhoun. The damage could have been worse, however, as the Trojans left the bases loaded in the inning. TJ Binder started the frame with a single to left and, one batter later, Peyton Fuller walked. Shaw Pinnell roped a single to right before Calhoun drove in Binder for the game's first run. A double play, however, ended the threat.
In the third, Reid Long picked up the first of his two hits in the game with a double to right field. After Logan Hill was hit by a pitch, Nick Masonia laced a single to center scoring Long and doubling the Trojans lead.
Clinging to a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Trevin Hall entered as a pinch hitter with one out and Masonia standing on third. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, Hall rolled a ball through the left side of the drawn-in infield to give Troy the 3-1 advantage. Clay Holcomb entered to run for Hall and though he didn't score, did manage to steal second and third to give him 69 career stolen bases, moving him into sole possession on fourth all-time in Troy history.
The Trojans and Texas State will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m. Lucas Brown (4-1, 2.48) will take the mound for Troy.
UALR Falls on Walk-Off Home Run by Indiana State
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – UALR (14-24) fell 6-4 to Indiana State (18-21) on Friday night after the Sycamores won the game on a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Kyle Kirk continued his hot streak for the Trojans with a perfect 3 for 3 outing with two runs and a double. Kirk now has an 18-game reached base streak, the longest for a UALR player this season.
“Tonight we faced a pitcher who I believe has a chance to pitch in the big leagues,” head coach Chris Curry said. “Our guys did a great job offensively of getting him out of the game in the fifth.”
The game’s first runs came in the bottom of the fifth inning as Indiana State put up three. Derek Hannahs walked on six pitches with one out and advanced to third after Jacob Hayes doubled to center field. Starter Jarrid Garcia’s night ended as Dyllon Brownmiller came on in relief. Brownmiller struck out the first batter he faced before a single to center by Connor McClain plated Hannahs and Hayes. Two more singles by the Sycamores scored McClain to give Indiana State a 3-0 lead.
“Jarrid gave us a great start and had us right there in the game,” Curry said.
UALR responded in the top of the seventh inning by cutting the lead to 3-2. Kirk doubled down the right field line to lead off the inning, and then advanced to third on a ground out. Sam Vogel delivered a single to right field as Kirk came in for the Trojans’ first run. Mitchell Scheuler knocked in UALR’s second run of the night with a double to left center, scoring Vogel all the way from first.
The Trojans relieved Brownmiller with Cameron Allen in the bottom of the seventh inning. Andy DeJesus doubled down the left field line with one out before advancing to third base on a balk. DeJesus then scored after Manuel Estevez singled to right to extend the Sycamores’ lead to 4-2.
Kirk picked up his third hit of the game with a two-out single in the top of the eighth inning. Kirk was able to hustle around the bases to score after Drew Merten doubled to left center to cut Indiana State’s lead to 4-3.
Scheuler walked on four pitches to lead off the top of the ninth, and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by James Gillean. Scheuler advanced to third on a wild pitch before tying the game at 4-4 as Justin Steelmon singled to center.
Indiana State started the bottom of the ninth with a single by Andy Young, who advanced to second after McClain laid down a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Estevez hit a two-run walk-off homer to left field to seal the game for the Sycamores.
“What was most frustrating was that I don’t think we were mentally hooked up for the first half of the game, and we made some mental mistakes,” Curry said. “We’re focusing on the ability to stay hooked up and playing with a chip on our shoulder for nine innings when we’re mentally and physically tired. That’s the grind that is baseball, and the great teams and players can do it. We’re trying to learn how to do that right now instead of just doing it for a portion of a game.”
UALR will look to even the series at Indiana State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.