The Cleveland State baseball team split Saturday's double header with Vincennes University with Max Owens pitching a complete game leading the Cougars to their victory.
"Tough loss in the first one," head coach Aaron Bryant said. "Max threw outstanding in game two and we got just enough runs to squeeze one win out today."
The Trail Blazers (1-1) took game one of the double-header today from Cleveland State 5-3.
The Cougars (2-5) were up 3-2 heading into the top of the fifth before Vincennes put up three runs to take the lead.
Cleveland State's centerfielder Nate Dunfee reached on an error in the bottom of the first, then shortstop Brogan Jones doubled bringing Dunfee home for the game's first run.
Designated hitter Nelson Mcknight then singled home Jones to go up 2-0.
Second baseman Braydn Duglas doubled in the top of the third with designated hitter Jarret Phillips and left fielder Nate Montgomery walking loading the bases with two outs. Frist baseman Corbin Napier drove home Douglas and Phillips tying the game.
Dunfee led off the bottom of the third with a double, then stole third and scored when catcher Ty Denton grounded out to the short stop to regain the lead 3-2.
In the top of the fifth centerfielder Jevan Andrews walked, then Phillips singled before Montgomery doubled bringing home Andrews to tie the game. Napier then grounded out driving in his third run of the game putting the Trail Blazers ahead. Third baseman Kaden Mckinney singled scoring Montgomery home for the final run scored run of the game.
For Vincennes Carson Allen (1-0) pitched a complete game allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out six and not walking a batter. Turner Junkins (0-2) suffered the loss for Cleveland State. Logan Bryson pitched the final 2.1 innings allowing no runs on one hit while striking out five and not walking a batter.
Max Owens (1-0) pitched a complete game four hitter allowing two earned runs while striking out eight and walking a batter leading the Cougars to a 3-2 victory in game two.
The two runs scored off Owens both came in the first inning. Douglas led off with a bunt on the first pitch down the third base line for a single. Then on the second pitch Andrews bunted and got on by an error. Napier hit third and slashed, faking a bunt on the third pitch getting runners on the corners. First baseman Yancey Edlin struck out, but a throwing error by catcher Will Phipps sent Douglas home, then Napier scored on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the third second baseman Dylan Owens singled to center field. Dunfee singled to right field and advanced to second on the throw to third to try and get Owens. Jones then hit a sacrifice fly scoring Owens before Denton also hit a sac fly bringing home Dunfee to tie the game.
In the bottom of the sixth first baseman Aiden McClary hit a lead off with a single, then Goins bunted him over to second before he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Right fielder Caleb Gipson hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home McClary for the go ahead run that would prove to be the game winner.
The fourth and final game of the series will be tomorrow at noon on Cougar Field.
Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations