Cleveland State hit five home runs and scored 21 runs total in their double header sweep of Chattanooga State on Friday. The Tigers came out on top on Saturday.
"We competed well offensively all day and came up with big hits," said Head Coach Mike Policastro. "Coming back in both games, from seven runs in game two was huge."
In game one the Cougars rallied from four runs behind. Four Cleveland State errors in the first two innings helped lead to five Tiger runs.
In the bottom of the first freshman center fielder Devin Gardner hit a solo home run.
The Cougars cut the deficit to two in the bottom of the third. Freshman left fielder Jordan Ransom tripled and scored on a wild pitch, then freshman first baseman Sean McDermott hit a solo shot.
Cleveland State (17-10, 8-3) took their first lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ransom drove in two runs on a bases loaded single, then Garder hit a two RBI double.
The Cougars held on taking a 10-8 victory. Ransom finished with four runs batted in, Garder with three and McDermott with two.
Sophomore Drew Korzybski earned the victory pitching six innings scattering seven hits allowing two earned runs while striking out two and walking three. Sophomore Matt Roueche picked up the save.
In game two Cleveland State was down seven runs to Chattanooga State (18-7, 7-4) entering the bottom of the fifth where the Cougars put together a nine run inning.
Gardner hit his second home run of the day in the inning. Sophomore right fielder Hagen Wilkey homered earlier in the game. Gardner finished with three runs batted in for the game, Wilkey with two and sophomore designated hitter Austin Phillips also drove in a run.
The victory went to sophomore Matt Henshaw who shut out the Tigers for 1 1/3 inning allowing one hit while striking out three and walking one. Roueche pitched the final inning holding Chattanooga State hitless for his second save on the afternoon.
"Roueche came up big with two saves," said Coach Policastro.
Cleveland State won the series, but could not complete the sweep.
The Cougars went down 5-3 to Chattanooga State Saturday afternoon.
"Winning the series is our goal and we accomplished that, but when you win the first two games you need to find a way to win game three," said coach Policastro.
The Tigers went ahead in the top of the first when freshman catcher Danny Sirven hit a two-run homer.
Cleveland State cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third (17-11, 8-4) after freshman centerfielder Devin Gardner scored from third when freshman first baseman Sean McDermott purposely was caught in a pickel between first and second base with two outs in the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth McDermott tied it up on a solo shot, his third home run of the weekend.
In the eighth Chattanooga State (19-7, 8-4) sophomore Brandon Melendez hit a two-run homer to push the Tigers ahead.
The Cougars put one on the board in the bottom of the eighth when freshman catcher Hagan Kennedy walked with the bases loaded.
The Tigers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth going ahead 5-3. Cleveland State had runners on the corners with two outs, but were unable to produce a run in the bottom of the ninth. The Cougars left ten men on base throughout the game.
Starting sophomore pitcher Colton Morgan picked up a no decision despite pitching 7 1/3 innings allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out one and walking five.
"I really feel like we let another game slip away," said Policastro. "Too many two out walks that lead to runs."
Freshman Cale Thornton earned the victory pitching 7 2/3 innings allowing three earned runs scattering nine hits while striking out seven and walking one. Freshman Zack Wilcox got the save.
Cleveland State returns to the field Monday hosting the University of the Cumberlands in a double header. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.