Midway begins #RSCBASEBALL Games of the Week with DH sweep of WVU Tech
Midway begins #RSCBASEBALL Games of the Week with DH sweep of WVU Tech
VERSAILLES, Ky. – The Midway University baseball team got a pair of walk-off hits to sweep the opening doubleheader over WVU Tech in the River States Conference Baseball Games of the Week on Saturday at Chandler Field in Versailles, Kentucky.
The series will resume on Sunday at Chandler Field with another doubleheadr. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET. Live video and live stats will be provided.
n the first game of the twinbill, the Eagles (18-13, 15-3 RSC) trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Midway got a walk-off two-run home run off the bat of Hector Quinones to propel to the Eagles to a 2-1 victory.
Then in the nightcap, the game turned into a classic pitcher's duel until the bottom of the seventh when the Eagles pulled off some late inning magic again. With the game scoreless in the final half inning, Midway got a walk-off single from Carlos Cespedes to come away with the 1-0 win.
Game 1: Midway 2, WVU Tech 1
The opener of the doubleheader started out to be a pitcher's duel as Midway's Chase Heslep and West Virginia Tech's Jerod Jobst went head-to-head.
Heslep didn't allow a base runner to reach third until the sixth inning when the Golden Bears (16-19, 10-8 RSC) plated a run on two hits.
With two outs in the inning, Chris Davison reached on a two-out walk and after he stole second, he moved to third on a passed ball. The next batter in the order, Trevor Lam ripped a double to score Davidson from third giving WV Tech a 1-0 lead.
After Jobst sent the Eagles down in order in the bottom of the sixth, the Golden Bears made it interesting in the top of the seventh. With Conner Lindsay in to pitch for Heslep, WV Tech got runners to second and third, but Lindsay got a ground out to end the threat.
Then in the bottom of the seventh, after Jobst got one quick out to start the inning, he was replaced by Garrison Vandeventer. After Vandeventer walked the first batter he faced, senior, Hector Quinones stepped to the plate.
After Vandeventer missed on the first two pitches in the at bat, Quinones unloaded on a 2-0 pitch and sent it over the left field fence for a two-run walk-off home run. The home run was the seventh of the season for the Barceloneta, Puerto Rico native.
Taking home the win for Midway was Lindsay (1-2). The junior allowed two hits in his one inning of work. Heslep was stuck with the no decision after allowing one run on four hits in six innings on the bump. The junior also stuck out three batters.
For WV Tech, Vandeventer (1-2) took the loss after allowing the two runs. Jobst pitched well, but like Heslep was dealt with the no decision. Jobst fanned seven allowing one hit in 6.1 innings of work.
Game 2: Midway 1, WVU Tech 0
The nightcap showcased a lack of offense as the pitchers ruled once again. This time it was James Davenport of Midway and Jayson Sykora of WV Tech.
Sykora allowed a leadoff single to open the game to Reid Battles, after that he didn't allow another hit until the fifth inning from Barrett Croslin.
Davenport, on the other hand, got off to a strong start. The junior struck out the side in the opening inning as he allowed two base runners in the second, but got some help from his defense after they turned a double play.
With both pitchers dealing, their respective offenses would struggle until the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Hector Quinones reached on a walk and after a passed ball he moved to second. Then the Golden Bears intentionally walked Croslin to set up the double play.
With Carlos Cespedes at the plate, Midway skipper, Luther Bramblett put on the double steal sign as Cespedes sent a single between the shortstop and third baseman to score Quinones and give the Eagles a 1-0 win and sweep the doubleheader.
Taking home the win for Midway was Davenport. The Louisville, Ky. native moved to 4-0 on the season after striking out a career-high 12 batters allowing just two hits in seven innings.
For the Golden Bears, Sykora (1-4) was dealt with the loss. The senior allowed one unearned run on three hits in 6.1 innings of work. He finished with five strikeouts.