RHP Jared McDonald
Cleveland State swept Tusculum College in their Wednesday doubleheader winning game one by a score of 20-10 and game two 6-5.
Ryan Inches was the starter in what was the highest scoring game of the Cougars season. Inches pitched 1.1 innings allowing 5 earned runs, 2 walks while striking out 3.
Justin Coleman who came on in relief received the win in game one, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing 5 walks while striking out 3. Lucas Sykes, Collin Grove and Noah Peterson all pitched in game one, combining for 3.1 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, 3 walks while striking out 6.
Cleveland State's offense put on a show in game one, totaling 20 runs off of 20 hits with 17 RBIs. The Cougars drew 6 walks and struck out only 6 times. Hunter Oliver finished the game with two solo home runs and 4 RBI's. Noah Hill, Brandon Mason, Trey Vanderpool and Cameron Hankins each finished with 3 RBI's and Logan Peterson tallied 2 RBI's. Brandon Mason and Trey Vanderpool each secured a stolen base in the game as well.
Game two saw a much more closer final with the Cougars winning 6-5. Jackson Etter started, pitching 1 inning allowing 2 earned runs, 2 walk with 1 strike out. Corey Linz and Brock Browning came on in relief combining for 4 innings, allowing 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. Greg Tye came on to close out the game and ended up receiving the win, pitching 2 innings while striking out 2.
The Cougars struck first in game two thanks to a Hunter Oliver RBI double. Logan Peterson also doubled in the first inning, scoring Oliver as Cleveland State took a 2-0 lead. Tusculum responded in the bottom of the 1st inning with 3 runs of their own, taking a 3-2 lead over the Cougars. Tusculum extended their lead in the 2nd inning, adding 2 runs to push lead lead to 5-2. Tusculum couldn't score again after that as Cleveland State added 4 runs to complete the comeback and take the sweep, 6-5.
In total, Cleveland State had 9 hits with 5 RBIs. Noah Peterson, Hunter Oliver and Logan Peterson each doubled in game two while Oliver, Hooper Mills and Trey Martin each finished with an RBI. Logan Peterson finished with 2 RBI's. The Cougars were quick on the basepath as Noah Peterson swiped two bags while Logan Peterson and Hooper Mills each stole a base as well.
The sweep brings the Cougars record to 33-14 (11-9) and extends their current winning streak to 11. On the season Cleveland State is batting .329 with an on base percentage of .426 and a slugging percentage of .490 with 37 home runs.
Next up the Cougars will take on Dyersburg State in their final home series of the regular season. Game one will take place on Friday, April 20th at 2:00 PMwith games two and three taking place on Saturday, April 21st starting at noon. Sophomore recognition will take place on saturday as Cleveland State will honor their soon to be graduating sophomore players. Be sure to come out to the ball park on Saturday to support your local Cleveland State Cougars.