- The Covenant baseball team began the 2018 season on Saturday, but it was host Oglethorpe that came away with the heroics as the Stormy Petrels took both games of the doubleheader at Anderson Field. Oglethorpe won game one, 5-4, on a walk-off wild pitch before having four pitchers combine for a no-hitter in a 4-1 win over the Scots in the second game.
Game three of the series will take place on Tuesday on Lookout Mountain, the contest that was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to weather.
GAME ONE: Oglethorpe 5, Covenant 4
Covenant rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning, but Oglethorpe scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch as the Stormy Petrels took game one 5-4.
The game was slated for seven innings.
The Scots trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, but scored twice to even the score. Daniel Johnson led off the inning and reached on an error before scoring two batters later when Tyler Moore sent a single into left field to make it 4-3. Following two walks to load the bases with two outs, pinch-runner Jay Epperson scampered home with the tying run on a wild pitch.
Oglethorpe would have the final answer, though. A leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh to Adrian Celata put the winning run on base for the Stormy Petrels. Covenant reliever Taylor Bloye got the next two batters out, but Celata was able to advance to third. With two away, Bloye's wild pitch allowed Celata to score the game-winner.
Both teams scored single runs in the third inning. Joel Johnson singled home Donny Lewis in the top half, but Oglethorpe tied the game at 1-1 when Matt Motz reached on an error. Covenant briefly held a 2-1 lead in the fifth after Lewis scored when Oglethorpe catcher Alec Babb threw the ball into center field on Joel Johnson's steal attempt. However, Oglethorpe scored three times in its half of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead.
Moore went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk for Covenant, while Caleb Bloye was 2-for-3 with a walk. Lewis and Joel Johnson had a hit apiece as the Scots totaled six in the game. Matt Reitz made the start for the Scots and went 4.1 innings allowing three earned runs on six hits. Taylor Bloye (0-1) got the loss after going 2.2 innings and giving up two runs.
Matt Davis went four innings for Oglethorpe and struck out six. Reliever Christopher Keane (1-0) was credited with the win after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings. Eight different players recorded a hit for Oglethorpe.
GAME TWO: Oglethorpe 4, Covenant 1
Four Oglethorpe pitchers combined for a seven-inning no-hitter as the Stormy Petrels completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 victory.
Despite being no-hit, Covenant got a run on the board in the third inning. Ken Alexander worked a walk to leadoff the frame and was followed by Devin Cerrato being hit by a pitch and Caleb Bloye's base on balls to load the bases with one out. Joel Johnson lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that enabled Alexander to score and tie the score at 1-1.
Oglethorpe scored three runs in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead and the Stormy Petrel pitching staff took care of the rest.
Starter Kyle Babb (1-0) went the first four innings and struck out six. Alex Smith, Noah Cole, and Jack Bartlewski each threw an inning apiece to complete the no-hitter.
Drew Bradley (0-1) went 3.2 innings in his start for the Scots. Andrew Cline and Ross Skipper combined for 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Covenant will have its home opener on Tuesday against Oglethorpe to complete the season series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.