The baseball program at Shawnee State continued its roll of long bombs Thursday, with the Bears adding in five additional homers in a Mid-South Conference doubleheader -- including two from George Duran -- to split the first day of MSC contests between Lindsey Wilson in a pair of bouts between the two programs.
Shawnee State, who moved to 9-8 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-South Conference, continued to hit the ball well, notching 18 additional hits between the two Thursday affairs after posting 21 hits in its doubleheader against Bluefield.
Game 1
Kline continues consistent groove
Needing a good start to Game 1, Jacob Kline provided that boost for Shawnee State with a home run over the left field fence on a 1-0 count to put the Bears up 1-0 in the top half of the third frame. The junior delivered again in the top half of the seventh inning as the Bears, down 5-1 at this point, got a RBI single from Kline that scored Duran. Kline then scored himself later in the same frame off of a Howie Rodriguez base knock to account for all three of SSU's runs in the 12-3 setback.
For the season, Kline's totals continue to be at near astronomical heights. His .385 batting average leads everyday players, as does his five home runs, 26 RBI, .723 slugging percentage, .474 on-base percentage and his 1.197 .OPS.
Game 2
Duran continues hot streak
Already off to a great start in the week by going 3-for-7 with a home, a double, two stolen bases, four RBI and four runs scored in the doubleheader against Bluefield, George Duran wasted no time adding onto his week's total by taking the first pitch of the second contest between the two programs out of the ballpark to put Shawnee State in front by a 1-0 margin early on. Duran then capped the 6-2 victory for the Bears in Game 2 by homering to left field on a 1-2 count for his second home run of the game.
For the contest, Duran finished the game by going 2-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored.
McGuire, Santiago come up big at top of order
Following the leadoff hitter's excellent work, Danny McGuire and Javier Santiago made their own presences felt in the lineup themselves.
McGuire, who led off the top half of the third inning of play, singled along with Howie Rodriguez to set up Santiago's three-run shot on the first pitch of his at-bat to left field that put the Bears up by a 4-0 tally after three innings complete. McGuire then came back up in the top half of the fifth inning and launched a solo home run on an 0-2 pitch to help complete the scoring.
In Game 2, McGuire went 2-for-4 himself with his solo home run and two runs scored while Santiago went 1-for-3 with his homer and the three RBI to go along with the run scored off of his own blast.
Ingram continues strong season
Continuing to pitch effectively throughout the first half of the 2020 season, Shawnee State's Kellen Ingram moved to 4-1 in his five starts in the 2020 season.
Ingram, who posted his first complete game of the year, struck out eight batters and allowed just four hits and one earned run in an efficient 95-pitch showing. Ingram lowered his ERA to a solid 3.03 as a result in the victory.
UP NEXT
Shawnee State will face Lindsey Wilson in the final contest of the three-game set Friday afternoon. Game time is set for 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT.
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