LEBANON, Tn. (Baseball) – Shawnee State was able to continue finding success offensively in the series opener, defeating Cumberland University 7-3, but offense was not enough in game two, as the Bears fell 11-8 on Friday at Ernest L. Stockton Field.
Matt Dvorscak (SO/Whiting, Ind.) led the way offensively in game one finishing with two RBIs. Derek Moore (JR/Wheelersburg, Ohio) earned the win with a 7 inning performance where he allowed only three runs on four hits and tallied seven strikeouts. Conner Wilson (SR/San Diego, Calif.) finished the second game with three RBIs to go along with Brandon Reaman (JR/Dayton, Ohio)'s two RBIs.
Game 1
SSU worked the pitch count early, scoring on a walk by Nick Rose (FR/Olentangy, Ohio) with the bases loaded. The runs came at a premium early in the game thanks in large part to the dominance by Moore, not allowing any hits through the first three frames of work. SSU was out to an early 1-0 lead.
SSU began to find a rhythm offensively in the top of the sixth. Austin Hall (SR/Wheelersburg, Ohio) lined an RBI single to center field, then Reaman was able to draw a walk with the bases loaded. The Bears crossed the plate three times in the top of the seventh thanks to a home run from Wilson and two RBIs from Dvorscak. Cumberland put together a run of their own scoring three runs of their own in their half of the inning, but Brandon Bonar (SR/Chillicothe, Ohio) slammed the door shut in relief. Bonar went two innings without allowing a hit or a run on the way to earning his fourth save of the season. SSU won the game 7-3
Game 2
SSU manufactured a run in the top of the first thanks to a throwing error. Zachariah Freeman (JR/Richmond, Texas) scored, giving the Bears an early 1-0 lead. Both teams remained quiet offensively through the first three frames, at the end of the third Shawnee State held on to a 1-0 lead.
Reaman ignited the Bears offense with a two-RBI single to left field, which lead to a four run inning for the Bears in the fourth. The Phoenix answered scoring a run in their half of the fourth. Cumberland University broke the game open in the fifth scoring six runs. In the sixth inning Wilson smashed a three-run home run to put the Bears ahead, 8-7, however SSU surrendered the lead in the final innings, falling by a score of 11-8.
Freeman was 2-for-4 from the plate in the second game of the double-header, crossing the plate twice. SSU opened conference play with an even 1-1 record.
The Bears return to action Saturday for the conclusion of the three-game series with Cumberland University. Opening pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ernest L. Stockton Field.
