JAGS SWEEP SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER FROM EIU
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team broke a school single-game record for runs scored during its doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois Saturday at Stanky Field.
Three USA (2-0) hurlers combined for a one-hit shutout in USA's 32-0 game-two win in Saturday's twinbill to earn the sweep following an 8-2 win in game one. The Jaguars' 32 runs broke the 2013 squad's previous record of runs scored (29 vs. New Orleans) in a game.
USA will go for the series sweep in Sunday's series finale, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch at Stanky Field.
Game 1 – South Alabama 8, Eastern Illinois 2
USA used a seven-run seventh inning to defeat EIU 8-2 in the 2017 season opener in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.
EIU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a one-out, two-run home run to left-center field by Frankie Perrone.
USA threatened in the bottom of the fourth, but did not push across a run. Brendan Donovan led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a groundout to second by Carter Perkins and moved to third on a bunt single to second by Jared Barnes. A one-out walk by Wells Davis loaded the bases, but EIU right-hander Michael McCormick escaped the jam with a popout into shallow right field off the bat of Adam Wolfe and a fielder's choice by Dylan Hardy that provided the inning-ending out at second base.
South Alabama eventually answered with seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a five-run lead. Drew LaBounty reached on a hit by pitch to lead off the inning, and moved to third on a single to left-center field by Paul Russo. A walk by Travis Swaggerty loaded the bases before a passed ball charged to EIU catcher Josh Turnock allowed LaBounty to score and cut the Panther lead to 2-1. Donovan followed with a walk to load the bases for Perkins, who delivered an RBI single to left field to score Russo and tie the game 2-2. Barnes then drew a walk to force home Swaggerty for a 3-2 Jaguar lead. Davis followed with a grand slam off the left field foul pole to extend the USA lead to 7-2.
The Jags added the game's final run in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI triple to right field by Travis Swaggerty.
USA right-hander Alex Adair (1-0) tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed only three hits with four strikeouts to earn the win. EIU right-hander Brent Stephens allowed four runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks in two-thirds of an inning in the loss.
Davis went 2-for- 3 with a home run – the first of his Jaguar career – four RBI and one run scored to lead the Jaguar offense. Swaggerty finished 2-for-4 with a triple, one RBI and one run scored while Perkins and Barnes added one hit, one RBI and one run scored each. Perrone went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and one run scored to lead the Panthers at the plate.
"Their starter was really good," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "He was 90-92 (mph) with some sink. We had some opportunities. We left some men on base, but our guys just hung in there. I give (Michael) McCormick all the credit in the world; he did what he had to do. I thought Randy Bell was pretty good. They (EIU) swung the bats well. I thought Randy did enough – it was 2-0 for a big part for the ball game. He kept it right there and made his pitches. And (Alex) Adair was really good for us.
"Eastern Illinois gets up there to hit; they're trying to do damage when they swing the bat. You can see that they are a well-coached bunch. They fielded it cleanly – I give them a lot of credit. I'm impressed with their players."
Game 2 – South Alabama 32, Eastern Illinois 0
USA scored a school-record 32 runs, and three Jaguar hurlers combined for a one-hit shutout to complete the doubleheader sweep. Jaguar left-hander Zach Melton tossed six no-hit innings and struck out nine with one walk to earn the win.
Left-hander Andy Arguelles struck out three and allowed one hit in two innings pitched, and Tyler Perez tossed one perfect inning in his debut.
USA jumped out to an eight-run lead in the bottom of the first on a one-out, two-run single to right field by Davis, a one-out, two-run single to center field by Eddie Paparella, a two-run single to center field by Will Luft and a two-run double to left field by LaBounty.
The Jags added another run in the bottom of the second. Cam Cummings doubled to left-center field to lead off the inning, and scored one batter later on an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Paparella for a 9-0 advantage.
South Alabama pushed its lead to 10-0 on an RBI double to right field by Perkins in the bottom of the fourth, and added its 11th run of the contest when Cummings drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the fifth. Paparella delivered a grand slam over the left field wall later in the inning to extend the Jaguar lead to 15-0.
USA added six additional runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out, two-run single by Perkins, a two-run single by Colton Thomas and RBI singles by Cummings and Paparella for an 21-0 advantage.
A two-run single by Hunter Stokes, RBI double to center field by Cummings and RBI triple to right field by Paparella in the bottom of the seventh highlighted a six-run Jaguar seventh inning.
Luft capped a five-run Jaguar eighth inning with a grand slam to left field for the final runs of the game.
Paparella tied former Jaguar Alex Pastore's single-game RBI record with nine. Paparella finished 5-for-5 with one triple, one home run, nine RBI and four runs scored. Pastore's nine-RBI performance came in 1973 against Auburn.
Luft finished 4-for-6 with a home run, six RBI and three runs scored, while Perkins and Cummings added three hits and three RBI each. Cummings also scored a school-record six runs in the game, which broke the previous record of five which was shared by Tyler Jones (2005), Dewayne Jones (1988) and Luis Gonzalez (1986).
"What can you say about Melton," Calvi said. "He was fantastic tonight. And we got into a rhythm and started swinging the bats, and it was good to see. That was arguably their number-one, and we swung the bats pretty well. I'm excited for the kids; they never let up. They knew it was a long day, but everyone went hard. We were fortunate enough to get a lot of guys in there. We're going to have to keep guys fresh, but I am proud of the way they approached the whole day."
McWhorter's Walk-Off Evens Eagles Series with Middle Tennessee
STATESBORO, GA. - Georgia Southern Baseball erased a six-run deficit at the seventh inning stretch to take the team's first win of the season in walk-off fashion on Saturday at J.I. Clements Stadium. Freshman Mason McWhorter sealed the win with a walk-off liner to center in the 10th inning, capping a 2-for-2 day that started as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee return to the diamond on Sunday for the rubber match at 1 p.m.
McWhorter did the damage in the 10th, but the spark for the Eagles came from sophomore transfer Tyler Martin, who snapped a 0-for-5 start to the season with a leadoff triple in the seventh inning. An RBI single from Mitchell Golden opened the scoring, while two wild pitches brought the Eagle third baseman in to score and cut the lead to 6-2.
"I was really proud of our guys for continuing to play and competing hard today," said Head Coach Rodney Hennon. "The first six innings were pretty frustrating offensively, Tyler Hasper really dominated us with the fastball. Tyler Martin really sparked us today, he had a tough night last night, but he kept playing hard and it got us going with that triple in the seventh and the home run in the ninth. Hitting really can be contagious and our guys started stepping up to the plate with some confidence late in the game."
Martin kicked off the ninth inning with Georgia Southern's first home run of the season, a leadoff job to left field that cut the lead to 6-3. Golden followed with a single to left on the next pitch, as did McWhorter two batters later following an infield fly. Evan McDonald worked a walk to load the bases with one out. A strikeout reduced the Eagles to their final out with Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Ryan Cleveland walking to the plate. The lefty ripped a double down the right field line to clear the bases and tie the game at 6-6, forcing extra innings for the second-straight day.
In the top of the 10th, Middle Tennessee got a rally started thanks to a well-placed infield hit and a fielding error by the Eagles. A double play, however, ended the threat and opened the door for the Eagles in the home half of the 10th.
Golden opened the 10th with his second-straight single to left. A walk to Cal Baker along with two wild pitches put both runners in scoring position for the freshman McWhorter. The single to right center sparked the celebration as Georgia Southern took its first walk-off win since May 14th, 2016 when Jordan Wren walked it off with a single against Clemson.
The story of the day early was the pitching of Middle Tennessee starting pitcher Tyler Hasper who frustrated the Eagle batters early, holding the hometown nine to just two hits over the first six innings with 11 strikeouts. He left the game with a 6-0 lead, but nine hits off the Blue Raider bullpen sealed the Georgia Southern comeback.
Eagle starting pitcher Jacob Condra-Bogan made his debut with the blue and white after three seasons at Wofford. The graduate transfer went 4.0 innings while scattering six hits and three runs, two earned. The other three runs were scored off relief pitcher Seth Shuman who also made his debut on the diamond for the Eagles. The multi-sport pitcher started one game this season for the Georgia Southern Football team at quarterback. He fanned four in 2.1 innings while working around seven hits and three runs.
Sophomore Zach Cowart had a solid outing, working 2.2 no-hit innings to keep the Blue Raiders to just six runs on the day. He entered with the bases loaded in the seventh and got a double play to extricate the Eagles from the jam. The win, however, went to Connor Simmons who worked a one-hit 10th inning to improve to 1-0 on the young season.
First pitch on Saturday was delayed by an hour due to a line of rain which quickly passed through after the teams took infield.
Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee will return to the hallowed turf of Jack Stallings Field at J.I. Clements Stadium for the rubber match of the series on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Mavs Rally From Behind For 5-3 Win
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Brady Cox's pinch-hit single with two outs in the seventh inning completed UTA's comeback bid and gave the Mavs the lead en route to a 5-3 win over Southeast Missouri State, in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader at Stephen F. Austin's Jaycess Field.
UTA (1-2) outlasted SEMO (1-2) in the nightcap of the first twinbill of the year for the Mavericks. Entering the game with SEMO on Saturday, the Mavs had suffered a pair of one-run losses to open the season, 4-3 on Friday vs. SEMO – the defending Ohio Valley Conference Champions – and 2-1 in 10 innings on Saturday at SFA.
UTA fell behind 3-0 before Quintin Rohrbaugh belted his first homer of the year in the sixth. The Mavericks then took the lead for good in the three-run seventh inning, with Cox's RBI single giving UTA a lead. Omar Salinas had a RBI single in the eighth inning for insurance.
The game saw a combined 14 walks, three hit batters and two errors between the two defensive units. UTA's pitching staff used five pitchers to work through traffic in the game and combined the two teams turned six double plays, including four from the Mavs.
LEADING THE MAVS
Rohrbaugh and Salinas each had two-hit games for the Mavs, with Rohrbaugh belting a homer and drawing a walk. Salinas also added a walk, along with Colton Turner. Will Olson, Josh Minjarez, RJ Williams and Noah Vaughan each had hits, along with the big pinch-hit knock from Cox.
THE MOUND
UTA junior southpaw Jakob Hernandez made his NCAA debut on the mound, working 4.2 innings in the start, allowing five hits and two runs, walking seven and striking out six. Senior Matt Michalski worked an inning and Ryan Buss and Jud Kinzy (1-0) each got a pair of outs in relief. Junior Jordan West made his UTA debut and earned a four-inning save, allowing a walk and a hit with a pair of strikeouts.
SEMO starter Justin Murphy worked six innings, allowing six hits and three runs. SEMO also used Adam Pennington (0-1), Jared Waldhoff, Josh Haggerty, Ryan Lossman and Daniel Bergtholdt each worked in relief.
HOW THEY SCORED
SEMO opened the scoring in the third inning, as Tristen Gagan drew a one-out walk and Chris Osborne – the nation's leader in slugging percentage in 2016 – belted a two-run homer.
The Red Hawks added a run in the sixth, getting a leadoff walk from Connor Basler and a sacrifice fly from Gagan.
Rohrbaugh started UTA's comeback in the sixth inning, belting a two-out offering over the leftfield fence for his first homer of the year, cutting the lead to 3-1.
UTA kept the rally hot in the eighth inning, plating three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Salinas and Williams opened the frame with walks, with Vaughan sacrificing the duo into scoring position. Minjarez then ripped a two-run double into left-centerfield, evening up the game at 3-3. After a groundout and an intentional walk, Cox delivered a pinch-hit, go-ahead RBI single to score Minjarez and give the Mavs a 4-3 lead.
Rohrbaugh drew a leadoff walk in the eighth and scored on an RBI single from Salinas.
NEXT
UTA returns to action on Sunday, facing host Stephen F. Austin at 2:30 p.m. CT at Jaycess Field. Junior righty Reid Petty will make his first start of the season.
Scheible’s walkoff powers Bobcats to Saturday split
SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State baseball team earned a split in a Saturday twinbill with Purdue at Bobcat Ballpark.
The Boilermakers (2-1) secured the opening game of the day by a 12-8 margin before the Bobcats (1-2) scored eight runs in the final two frames to swipe the nightcap 13-11.
Leading the way for TXST at the plate was junior Theodore Hoffman. He went 6-for-10 on the day, while adding a pair of runs and driving in two. Junior Derek Scheible was 3-for-8 overall with four RBI, four runs and one walkoff homer. Sophomore Jonathan Ortega finished 4-for-9 with one RBI and five runs scored.
Texas State and Purdue will attempt to finish the series at noon Feb. 19. The forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms, so be sure to follow @TxStateBaseball for updates on start times.
PURDUE 12, TEXAS STATE 8
The Boilermakers hit three home runs in the first frame and never looked back, as the visitors took a 2-0 lead in the series. In total, Purdue plated nine runs in the first three innings. The Bobcats were able to counter with a six-spot in the third, but they would not find home plate again until the bottom of the ninth. The maroon and gold tacked on two in the final frame, but the Boilermakers had added enough insurance to hold on for the 12-8 triumph.
Hoffman led TXST with a 3-for-5 effort, while scoring twice. Ortega, juniors Zacri Sanders and Dylan Paul, and sophomore Ryan Newman all registered two hits. Sanders, Paul and Newman all drove in two runs, while Paul also scored twice.
Sophomore Brandon Lewis (0-1) started the game on the mound and allowed five runs on four hits in 1.1 innings. Senior Brandon Courville tossed 3.2 innings of relief and conceded four runs (three earned) on three hits. Fellow senior Joe Powell threw the final 4.0 frames and allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits.
Dalton Parker (1-0) earned the win for the visitors after throwing 5.0 scoreless relief innings. He conceded one hit, walked two and struck out two. Gareth Stroh started and allowed six runs on six hits in the first two innings. Cameron Williams threw the final 2.0 frames and gave up two runs on four hits.
Mike Madej, Logan Poisall, Skyler Hunter and Evan Warden all had two hits to pace Purdue's offense. Madej drove in three runs, while Poisall, Warden and Harry Shipley all scored twice.
TEXAS STATE 13, PURDUE 11
The first victory of the season for Texas State started on a high note, as the maroon and gold secured an early 3-0 advantage through the opening two frames. Purdue then outscored TXST 10-2 over the course of the next three innings to swing into a 10-5 advantage. The home team erupted for eight runs in the final two frames to earn the come-from-behind triumph.
The Bobcats came up to bat in the final frame facing an 11-9 deficit, but Sanders was hit by a pitch and junior Travon Benton hit a full-count single to put two aboard. After a popup for the first out of the inning, junior Mickey Scott drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases. Ortega then reached on a fielder's choice, and a throwing error on the play tied the game at 11-11. That brought Scheible to the plate with two outs, and he blasted the 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall.
His fifth-career home run helped cap a 3-for-4 outing, which included four RBI and three runs scored. Ortega went 2-for-5 and scored a career-high four runs. Sanders scored twice and Benton recorded a pair of hits. Hoffman finished 3-for-5 for the second-straight game and also drove in two runs.
Junior Blake Walden (1-0) threw the final inning and earned the victory for the home side. He gave up one unearned run on one hit. True freshman Nicholas Fraze started and gave up six runs on six hits across the first 3.1 frames. Junior Braden Pearson tossed the first 1.1 innings of relief, and he conceded four runs (two earned) on three hits. True freshman Shane Daughety bridged the 3.1-inning gap between Pearson and Walden, and he did not concede a run or a hit. He struck out five and walked just two in his first collegiate appearance.
Tanner Schumacher started for Purdue and left after 4.0 innings. He conceded five runs (four earned) on eight hits. Ross Learnard only allowed a pair of hits in the next two frames, and Kyle Schweiger then conceded three runs on no hits in his lone inning of work. Jacson McGowan (0-1) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs on three hits in the final 1.2 frames.
Bryce Bonner finished 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored. Hunter and Shipley also added two hits.
The Bobcats outhit the Boilermakers 13-11.
Troy Walks Off Xavier to Open Twin Bill
TROY, Alabama – Against a drawn in infield and the winning run at third base, redshirt-freshman Drew Frederic punched a ball to first base and Steven Whitaker beat the throw to the plate as Troy defeated Xavier, 2-1, in 10 innings Saturday in game one of a doubleheader at Riddle-Pace Field.
One night after striking out 16 batters, the Troy (1-1) pitching staff stuck out 15 Xavier (1-1) hitters paced by seven from starter Evan Hebert over 5.2 innings of work.
The Trojans jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on an RBI double off the bat of Joey Denison and the Musketeers tied the game in the sixth inning on a two-out double from Conor Grammes.
Marc Skinner (1-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Trojans after he struck out all three batters he faced in the top of the 10th inning. Lance Johnson and Cory Gill combined for 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in relief of Hebert.
Brad Kirschner (0-1) suffered the loss for Xavier after he allowed the unearned run in the bottom of the 10th inning; he scattered three hits over 2.1 innings of work.
Moments that Mattered:
• TJ Binder led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a single back up the middle and Whitaker took over at first after he was unsuccessful with a sacrifice bunt attempt. Whitaker then stole second and took third on a throwing error to set up the game-winning heroics from Frederic.
• Mitch Gallagher found himself at second base in the top of the ninth inning with nobody out after being hit by a pitch and stealing second. Cory Gill responded with a strikeout and a pair of lazy fly balls to center and right to get out of the jam.
Noteworthy
• JUCO transfer John Tatum picked up a hit in his first career at-bat as a Trojan; he delivered a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning.
• Freshman Lance Johnson has now faced seven batters in his Troy career and has struck out four of them over two appearances.
• The walk-off victory was the fourth last at-bat win under Mark Smartt for the Trojans; Troy improved to 7-7 all-time under Mark Smartt in one-run games.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Trojans and Musketeers will play game two of Saturday's doubleheader and game three of the series.
Xavier Downs Troy in Nightcap to Split Doubleheader
TROY, Alabama – Xavier took advantage of a pair of early runs and a big eighth inning to defeat Troy, 8-2, in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader at Riddle-Pace Field; Troy won the opener 2-1 in 10 innings.
The Musketeers (2-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a leadoff home run by Conor Grammes and a two-out double off the bat of Nate Monastra in the second inning. Xavier added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings before putting the game out of reach with a four-spot in the eighth inning.
The Trojans (1-2) had an opportunity to cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after back-to-back singles from Steven Whitaker and Drew Frederic to open the frame. However, Trent Astle retired the next three Troy batters to preserve the 4-0 lead. Astle (1-0) took the win for Xavier after tossing six shutout innings with three strikeouts and no walks around three hits.
Frederic led the Trojans with a pair of hits, including the first triple of the season by a Trojan. Monastra and Grammes both had two hits for the Musketeers. Daren Osby (0-1) suffered the loss for the Trojans after he was tagged with three runs on five hits over five innings with five strikeouts.
Brody Binder cashed in a pair of runs for Troy in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out double to right-center following a Joey Denison walk and Brandon Lockridge single.
Moments that Mattered:
• Troy had chances to get back in the game in both the third and sixth innings. Frederic roped a two-out triple in the third, while Whitaker and Frederic combined for back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth inning. However, the Trojans were held off the board in both innings.
Noteworthy
• Troy pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in the game and now have struck out 42 batters over the first three games of the season (13.5 K/9)
WHAT'S NEXT
The Trojans and Musketeers will wrap up their four-game series to open the season Sunday at 12 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field.
PANTHERS MOVE TO 2-0 WITH 6-4 WIN OVER WMU
ATLANTA -- Ryan Blanton drove in three runs and Will Kilgore delivered a key 2-run single as Georgia State moved to 2-0 with a 6-4 victory over Western Michigan in the Atlanta Challenge Saturday at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Freshman Hunter Gaddis (1-0) earned his first collegiate win and Rhett Harper finished the game for his first career save.
The Panthers fell behind 2-0 early before a five-run fourth inning sent them on their way to victory.
Georgia State opened the fourth inning with three straight walks to chase WMU starter Andrew Reisinger (0-1). Romero Greer drew a one-out walk to bring home the Panthers' first run, and then Kilgore delivered a two-run single to left center to give GSU a 3-2 lead. Kilgore and Darius Sewell moved up to second and third when the left fielder bobbled the ball, setting up Blanton's two-run single through the right side.
Western Michigan inched closer on Nick Vogelmeier's solo homer that led off the sixth inning, but the Panthers answered with Blanton's sacrifice fly in the bottom half for a 6-3 advantage.
"Offensively, today was a grind. We could never really get it going, but we had a magical moment with a fiver-run fourth inning, and that was the difference in the game," head coach Greg Frady said. "Every game is different, and a good team finds a way to maximize the day and win the game, and we did that today.
Gaddis, the 6-5 right-hander from Sequoyah High School in Canton, came on in the fifth inning and threw three innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four.
"Hunter got the stop that we needed, and I want to congratulate him on his first college win."
Harper pitched the final two innings for the save.
Greer, the junior third baseman who joined the program from Pensacola State College, was 2-for-3 with an RBI. More importantly, he made four sensational defensive plays at the hot corner.
"Romero Greer was fantastic defensively today, and he really helped us offensively as well," Frady said. "He has certainly established himself early in the season."
Georgia State concludes the Atlanta Challenge by facing BYU on Monday at 4 p.m.
@AStateBaseball Sweeps Twin Bill Over NYIT
JONESBORO, Ark. (2/18/17) – The Arkansas State baseball team picked up a pair of wins (11-5, 5-2) in a doubleheader sweep Saturday against the New York Institute of Technology and improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2014 and only the eighth time in school history.
A-State added a run in each of the second and third innings of game one on a RBI double by Alex Howard and RBI single by Justin Felix. However, the Bears (0-3) struck for five runs in the top of the fourth inning, with four of the five being charged to Tyler Mitzel. Mitzel lasted 3.2 innings in his first start and cruised to 3.1 before running into trouble. He walked four in the inning and gave way to Bo Ritter, who allowed a three-run double to Benjamin McNeil for the big blow.
The Red Wolves began the comeback with a two-run single by Jeremy Brown and another run-scoring single by Felix to tie the game in the fifth. The team posted a four-run sixth inning with a sacrifice fly from Joe Schrimpf representing the go-ahead run. Two batters later, Felix cleared the bases with a double to blow the game open and put A-State on top 9-5. The Red Wolves added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final score 11-5.
Zachary Patterson picked up the victory on the mound with four strong innings out of the bullpen. The Cabot, Ark., native struck out five, didn’t walk a batter, and only allowed two hits. Redshirt freshman Brandon Stuckenschneider tossed a perfect ninth in his collegiate debut.
Jake Bakamus led the offense with four hits, three runs scored, a stolen base, and one RBI, while Felix provided a 3-for-4 effort with five RBI. Grant Hawkins went 2-for-4 and scored three runs, while Cullen Ray had a pinch-hit single in his first collegiate at-bat and Drew Tipton stole a base.
David Masuck took the loss for the Bears after allowing the four runs in the sixth inning after starter Elias Martinez lasted five innings. NYIT only collected four hits in the game compared to 16 for Arkansas State.
The second game didn’t feature as much offense for either team as both squads ended the game with just three hits. The Red Wolves used a four-run bottom of the second inning to control the game. NYIT starter Matt Diaz loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a hit-by-pitch before Bakamus lined a single to right field to plate two runs. The next two runs came around when Schrimpf doubled off the base of the left-field wall.
The four runs proved to be enough for the pitching combination of Peyton Culbertson and Tyler Zuber. Culbertson allowed two runs (one earned) in the third inning as NYIT cut the A-State lead in half at 4-2. The Red Wolves added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Brown to put the score at 5-2 in favor of the home team.
That was more than enough run support for Zuber, who tossed four shutout innings with only one hit allowed and eight strikeouts against two walks. The White Hall, Ark., native earned the save for his efforts as Culbertson picked up the win after being limited to a pitch count determined before the game. The Collierville, Tenn., native lasted three innings and gave up two hits with two walks and three punch outs.
Bakamus, Schrimpf, and Brown provided all the offense in game two with one hit each with the first two knocking in two runs and Brown driving in one. Hawkins scored two runs, while Garrett Rucker stole two bases to improve to a perfect 4-for-4 on the year. Freshman catcher Austin Powell made his collegiate debut and walked once with a run scored.
The Bears and Red Wolves conclude the season-opening four-game set Sunday morning at Tomlinson Stadium. First pitch was moved to 10 a.m. a few weeks ago to accommodate NYIT’s travel plans.
No.9 Coastal Carolina Falls, 5-4, to Western Carolina
CONWAY, S.C. - For the second consecutive day, Coastal Carolina baseball set an on-campus attendance record as 3,777 helped the 2016 team celebrate its national championship with a ceremony and ring presentation. However, the visiting Catamounts from Western Carolina spoiled the day with a 5-4 victory over the Chanticleers Saturday afternoon at Springs Brooks Stadium.
The ceremony was led by emcee Kaylee Hartung from ESPN and featured videos from Karl Ravech (ESPN), and Kyle Peterson (ESPN) as well as CCU's own Mike Tolbert (Carolina Panthers), Josh Norman (Washington Redskins) and actor Michael Kelly (currently on House of Cards). There was also a congratulatory video from children at Nebraska Medical that Coastal visited while in Omaha.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair with the Catamounts scoring once in the eighth inning to secure the win.
Western Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Matthew Koehler singled and moved to third on a Brett Pope double. Cleanup hitter Matt Smith brought home Koehler with an RBI ground out. Consecutive walks loaded the bases and Pope scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Bullock. However, Jason Bilous followed with a strikeout to limit the damage.
In the fourth, Coastal broke up the no-hitter and shutout bids with three runs on three hits to take a 3-2 lead. Wood Myers started things with a single and Billy Cooke followed with a double. Seth Lancaster drew a walk to load the bases, but Western Carolina pitcher Bryan Sammons recorded back-to-back strikeouts. However, facing a full count, Kieton Rivers walked to force home Myers. Cory Wood followed with a two-run single to left field.
Western answered with two runs in the top of the fifth to regain the lead, 4-3. With bases loaded, Bryson Bowman was hit by a pitch to force home J.D. Long to tie the game 3-3. Austin Kitchen came out of the bullpen and induced a double play, which allowed a run to score for a 4-3 lead. Kitchen then recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
Cooke, who had two of CCU's four hits, knotted the game at 4-4 with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Catamounts regained the advantage with a run in the top of the eight to make the score 5-4. Matt Smith doubled and took third on a ground out. Cameron Blaquiere came through with a two-out single to give WCU the lead.
Western's Korey Anderson retired all five batters he faced, including two strikeouts to end the game, to earn the save. Sammons worked 7.1 innings and allowed four hits, four runs and two walks with four strikeouts to earn the win.
Bilous struck out five over four innings, but allowed four hits, four runs and five walks with two hit batters. Kitchen suffered the loss in relief, allowing two hits and one run in 3.1 innings. Bobby Holmes worked the final 1.2 innings and allowed two hits and struck out two.
Cajuns Baseball Shutout by Murray State In Season Opener, 2-0
HAMMOND, La. – The 13th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team was stymied by Murray State pitching in the 2017 season opener as the squad fell 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Tangi Tourism Baseball Classic at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
"Our at bats need to get better," head coach Tony Robichaux said. "We struck out too much in the game. We played good defense and had some good quality pitching. It's early and you see other great offenses in the country getting off to a slow start.
"You have to get back out there and get more at bats and continue to do the things we did well today. We have to come back out tomorrow ready to go. We are better hitters than we showed today. I know this group will rebound and come ready tomorrow."
The shutout was the first for the Ragin' Cajuns (0-1) in over a year dating back to a 5-0 home defeat to South Alabama on May 8, 2015.
Murray State (2-0) starter Ryan Dills limited the Cajuns to four hits in seven innings of work with just one free pass. The right-hander struck out 10 in the contest to earn his first victory of the year.
Junior Gunner Leger was tabbed with the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits with a walk and two hit batters in four innings. Leger struck out five in the outing, while reliever Wyatt Marks notched five shutout innings with seven strikeouts to close out the game.
Louisiana was edged out by the Racers, 5-4, in hits. Caleb Hicks had a game-high two hits with a double for MSU.
Murray State got on the board in the top half of the fourth on a solo blast to left field by catcher Tyler Lawrence to make the score 1-0. After the Racers loaded the bases on a hit and two free passes, shortstop Jaron Robinson drew an RBI walk from Leger to increase the Murray State advantage to 2-0.
The Cajuns threatened in the bottom of the seventh putting runners on second and third with one out, but Dills induced a Brad Antchak pop out to first before getting Kennon Fontenot swinging to get out of the jam.
MSU relievers John Lollar and Chad Gendron combined to toss two scoreless innings to preserve the shutout with Gendron earning his first career save.
"We had plenty of chances in the game offensively, but we couldn't capitalize on them," Robichaux said. "We had runners on second and third and couldn't bring them home. That's something we have to fix going forward."
Louisiana returns to action tomorrow at 5 p.m. as they face Hofstra at Alumni Field. Sophomore right-hander Nick Lee will make the start for the Cajuns. Additionally, the rained out contest against Southeastern Louisiana from Friday night has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field.
Warhawks Fall Saturday Afternoon
DALLAS, TEXAS – After being held to just three hits in the series opener, Dallas Baptist responded with 15-hit, five home run afternoon on Saturday as the ULM baseball team fell 11-0 in game two of the weekend series. The Warhawks now look to earn the series win on Sunday afternoon.
Due to the threat of late afternoon rain, Sunday’s first pitch has been moved up to a 12:00 p.m. noon start time, and will still be available on the Warhawk Radio Network.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Dallas Baptist 11, ULM 0
LOCATION: Horner Ballpark / Dallas, Texas
RECORDS: ULM (1-1, 0-0 SBC)
Dallas Baptist (1-1, 0-0 OVC)
TURNING POINT
-After ULM starter Keegan Curtis was able to work out of a jam in the first inning, Dallas Baptist connected on a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the second frame to get the scoring started. The hosts added another homer as part of a five-run third inning before two solo homers in the fourth and a final home run in the sixth.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-ULM was held to just six hits in the loss, not recording its first base knocks until the fourth inning. Chad Bell finished with two hits, including a double, as the only Warhawk with a multiple hit afternoon, while Nate Reynolds, Anthony Herrera, Johnny DeLaCruz and Cade Harper (double) each added one hit.
-The Warhawks grounded into inning ending double plays in both the third and eighth innings, and also were doubled up to end the fourth frame on a double steal attempt.
-Curtis was saddled with the loss, allowing nine runs on 11 Dallas Baptist hits over four innings of work in his first start of the season. Trey Auger recorded a strikeout in his two innings of work, allowing two runs, while freshman Cole Trichel made his collegiate debut and recorded his first strikeout with a scoreless inning. Payton Coddou struck out two of the three batters he faced to close night on the mound for the Warhawks.
-Eight of Dallas Baptist’s 15 hits went for extra bases as four Patriot pitchers combined for seven strikeouts of Warhawk batters.
SUNDAY PROBABLES
ULM – RHP Chase Beal (2016 (at Yavapai) 10-3, 5.25 ERA, 70.1 IP, 39 BB, 61 K)
DBU – RHP MD Johnson (2016: 5-3, 5.60 ERA, 53.0 IP, 30 BB, 31 K)
UP NEXT
-The Warhawks and Dallas Baptist square off on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. in the rubber match of the team’s weekend series. Sunday’s game can be heard on the Warhawk Radio Network.
Hampton Pitches Baseball Past VMI in Rematch
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Sophomore Bobby Hampton threw a gem in a career night, helping Appalachian State University baseball down VMI in the second matchup this weekend, 3-1, on Saturday night and get head coach Kermit Smith his first win at the helm of the program.
The Mountaineers’ (1-2) southpaw tied a career-high by pitching seven shutout innings and set a new career record by striking out nine batters on the night. Hampton is the first Appalachian pitcher since Sam Agnew-Wieland on April 6, 2013 (vs. Georgia Southern) to throw at least 7.0 innings, strike out nine batters and not allow a run.
Hampton also limited the Keydets (1-2) to two hits during his time on the hill.
The game proved to be another pitching battle through three-and-a-half scoreless innings before junior Tyler Stroup started off the bottom of the fourth by launching a solo jack on the just the second pitch of the at-bat to put App up 1-0. The homer was Stroup’s ninth of his career.
The Black and Gold would increase their lead in the sixth when junior Chandler Seagle singled to shallow center field and senior Brian Bauk walked on four-straight pitches. After sophomore Jason Curtis moved everybody one base on a groundout, Bauk broke home off a wild pitch by Brandon Barbery.
Wild pitches would afford Appalachian its final run of the evening in the seventh when freshman Calev Grubbs broke home as Kyle Staats’ ball hit the dirt and bounced to the backstop, giving him time to cross the plate.
After seven complete innings for Hampton, senior Matt Brill came in to close out the game – his first action on the mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015. Brill allowed just one run and one hit in 2.0 innings pitched, throwing 90-plus mph consistently throughout and getting three punchouts.
The Mountaineers have just one game remaining in the Hughes Bros. Challenge in Wilmington, N.C. They take on host-team UNC Wilmington on Sunday at 2 p.m. to finish out the first tournament of the 2017 season.