Baseball News

Centre wins first game, drops game two at Sewanee

Centre baseball opened their final conference series of the season with a split in their double-header against SCAC rival Sewanee, winning the first game 8-3 then dropping the second game 7-6 Saturday, April 12 in Sewanee, Tenn.

The win and loss put the Colonels at 16-12 on the season, 6-8 in SCAC play while the Tigers go to 5-24, 3-10 in the conference.

Game one of the double-header featured Centre's offense coming alive early, as the Colonels put up a run in the first inning, another run in the second, and five in the third to defeat Sewanee.

Junior Jeffrey Williams (Knoxville, Tenn) was hit by a pitch to lead off the game for the Colonels. After stealing second base, Williams was driven in on a single by junior Brandon Rosen (Ashland, Ky.) to give Centre the early 1-0 lead.

The Tigers would respond with a pair of runs of their own in the first off senior pitcher John Herbert (Louisville, Ky.). The Tigers got an RBI double from Richard Cassedy who was then driven in on a run scoring single by Franklin Pogue to give Sewanee the 2-1 lead after one inning of play.

The Colonels went right back to work on offense, as sophomore Steven Kull (Frankfort, Ky.) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a single by Williams.

Centre broke out for a big inning in the top of the third to take the lead for good. Junior Jake Jones (Griffin, Ga.) started the rally with a double and was driven in on a two out, home run by freshman Cory Crowdis (Louisville, Ky.). The two run shot was the first career home run for Crowdis and gave the Colonels a 4-2 lead. Following the home run, John Clark (Lexington, Ky.) walked and Kevin McGee (Louisville, Ky.) singled to put two runners on for Kull, who drove in both runners with a double and later scored to give Centre the 7-2 lead.

Sewanee tried to rally in the fourth after a single and a hit batter, a two out double scored a run to cut the lead to 7-3, but Herbert retired the next batter to leave a pair of runners stranded in scoring position. Centre added a run of their own in the fifth following a Sewanee error to put the score at 8-3, which would be the final run of the game for either team.

Herbert went the distance for the Colonels and improved to 6-0 on the season with the win. He allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking one. The three strike outs put Herbert at 70 strike outs for the year, a new Centre single season record.

Williams led Centre at the plate, going 3-4 and also reaching base on an error and being hit by a pitch. Williams also had two stolen bases, drove in two runs, and scored a run in the win. Crowdis also had a good day at the plate, going 2-4 with a home run and a single. Crowdis drove in two runs, scored a run, and had a stolen base.

Logan Ray pitched all seven innings for the Tigers and suffered the loss. Ray allowed eight runs, six earned, on ten hits while striking out eight.

Austin Stephenson was the lone Tiger with a multiple hit game, going 2-3 with a double an a run scored.

Game two of the double-header started out much like the first, as the Colonels jumped out to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Jeffrey Williams scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Jones.

Sewanee responded with a run of their own off Colonels starting pitcher Aaron Herbert (Louisville, Ky.) to tie the score at 1-1. After a scoreless top half of the second inning, the Tigers scored again, this time on back to back doubles to go ahead 2-1.

After a scoreless third inning, Centre added two runs in the fourth after Ben Jeffers (New Albany, Ohio) was then the Colonels got singles from Jones, Rosen, and McGee. The Tigers answered with three runs of their own with two singles, a hit batsman, and a double to take the lead once again at 5-3. Sewanee would add another run in the fifth go go ahead 6-3.

Williams started the rally for the Colonels in the seventh with a single and following a walk to Jeffers, Jones and Rosen each drove in a run with singles to cut the lead to 6-5.

Following a scoreless eighth inning, Centre needed a run to tie the game in the ninth. Ben Jeffers led off the inning and was hit by a pitch, then was driven in on an RBI single from Brandon Rosen to tie the game at 6-6.

Sewanee answered once again. Taylor Irwin doubled with one out, then following a single, the Tigers had runners at first and third. Taylor Burns grounded through a hole on the right side of the infield to drive in the winning run, as the Tigers got the win 7-6.

Aaron Herbert suffered the loss for the Colonels, after going the complete game, 8.1 innings, the longest outing of his career. Herbert allowed seven runs on 12 hits while striking out two.

Brandon Rosen led the way for Centre going 4-5 at the plate with an RBI. Jones went 3-4 with two runs driven in and a run scored.

Chris Mauro picked up the win for the Tigers, throwing one inning of relief for starter Greg Bartleski. Mauro allowed no runs on one hit while striking out one.

Taylor Irwin, Roscoe Dean, and Richard Cassedy each put up two hits for the Tigers in the win.

Centre returned to action with another conference double-header against the Tigers on April 13 in Sewanee, Tenn. First pitch is set for 12 noon.