Williamsburg, Ky. – Shawnee State baseball concluded their thee game series against University of the Cumberland's with a nine-run loss. The Bears dug themselves into a deep hole after surrendering eight runs in the fourth inning and were unable to erase the deficit losing 18-9.
It looked like a shootout in the early innings of game three after there were five lead changes. The Patriots landed the first shot after Raudy Martinez lifted a solo homerun to left field. In the top of the second inning Shawnee State would take a quick 2-1 lead on an RBI double from Christian Helton (JR/Lexington, Kentucky) that scored JT Boggs (SR/South Shore, Kentucky) and Chase Thurber (JR/Andover, Ohio). In the bottom half of the inning Roberto Prado doubled to deep right field scoring two and giving The Patriots a 3-2 lead.
Shawnee State would have a response; an RBI double from JT Boggs, a two RBI double from Chase Thurber and a bases loaded walk drawn by Christian Helton concluded a four-run inning. The Patriots scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run homerun from Andrew Ramos. Through three innings of play the Bears held on to a 6-5 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Shawnee State put two more runs on the board, Blake Marshall (JR/Lexington, Kentucky) hit a two RBI single into shallow left-center field scoring the duo of Levi Jones (JR/Millersburg, Ohio) and JT Boggs. It was the bottom of the fourth inning that doomed the Bears, Daniel Diaz opened the scoring with a two RBI double down the right field line. An error cost Shawnee another run followed by a three-run homerun from Bryan Benz, Roberto Prado added the 8th run of the inning on a RBI double to right-center field. The Cumberlands took a commanding 13-8 advantage.
Shawnee State would score their final run of the ballgame in the top of the fifth inning. Sam Gerhold (SR/Shelton, Washington) hit a ground ball to the second baseman advancing Christian Helton. In the bottom of the Fifth J.C. Santos hit an RBI double to deep right. The Patriots would conclude the scoring in the seventh inning on a three-run homerun from J.C. Santos and an RBI double from Andrew Ramos. Shawnee State fell by a final score of 18-9.
Colton Easterwood earned the win, going 6.1 innings allowing three runs on three hits and managing eleven strikeouts. Tyler Arthur (SR/Morehead, Kentucky) received the loss, in 0.1 inning of work Arthur allowed five runs on four hits and recorded one strikeout.
Shawnee State's record falls to 11-11 (0-3), while The Patriots are now 22-3 (3-0).
Shawnee State baseball returns home Tuesday, March 20th, where they will take on the Buffaloes of Milligan College. Game one of the weekday doubleheader is set for a 1:00 pm start.
