Midway wins #RSCBASEBALL Games of the Week series over WVU Tech with Sunday split
VERSAILLES, Ky. – The Midway University baseball team secured a series victory over WVUTech in the River States Conference Baseball Games of the Week after the two teams split the doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Chandler Field.
The Eagles took the first game of the twinbill, 4-3, after getting a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth. Then, in the nightcap, the Golden Bears salvaged the final game with a 5-4 victory.
With the split, the Eagles take the series three games to one, moving their overall record to 19-14 and 16-4 in conference play. The Golden Bears sit at 17-20 and 11-9 in league play. Midway currently holds a one game lead over IU Southeast and Point Park (Pa.) in the standings.
Game 1: Midway 4, WVU Tech 3
In the opener, both offenses got off to a quick start as they each plated a run in the opening inning. WVU Tech's Tanner Levine ripped a double to deep right-center as Wyatt Belinda plated the game's first run with a single to score Levine from second.
The Eagles would dial up an answer with a run of their own in the bottom half. Josh Wenning opened the frame with a single and three batters later, Barrett Croslin singled to score Wenning from second and tie the game at 1-1.
After getting two scoreless frames from Hector Quinones on the mound, the Eagles went back to work in the bottom of the third. Quinones worked a one-out walk, then, the next batter, Croslin, sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run.
The lead would stand until the very next inning when the visitors plated two runs to tie the game at 3-3. Jacob Reimold opened the inning with a single and Brandon West was called upon to pinch run. After a sacrifice bunt, Trevor Lam singled to score West from second.
After Abraham Alejandro pinch ran for Lam, Marcus Rodriguez reached on a walk. Alejandro and Rodriguez double stole to move up as Sebastian Gomez Herrera hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Alejandro and tie the game.
Both starting pitchers were pulled after tossing four innings. Quinones allowed three runs on four hits, while Jarron Monroe of WVU Tech allowed three runs – two earned – on five hits. Monroe also fanned six Eagles.
Both teams would get quality innings from their respective bullpens as they game would move to extras tied at 3-3. For Midway, Derek Jones and Jake McCoy stifled the opposition, while Dalton Grisell and Garrison Vandeventer did the same.
Jones would pitch four innings allowing just one base runner with five strikeouts, while McCoy tossed a scoreless ninth setting up Midway's offense in the bottom half.
Carlos Cespedes reached on a fielder's choice and with two outs, Danny Maguire stepped to the plate. The Dana Point, Calif. native ripped a single to center and after the center fielder misplayed the ball, Cespedes came around to score and give Midway the 4-3 win.
Picking up the win for Midway was McCoy (2-0). The senior struck out two in his one inning of work. Vandeventer (1-3) took the loss for the Golden Bears after allowing one unearned run on three hits in three innings of relief.
Game 2: WVU Tech 5, Midway 4
The Golden Bears got off to another quick start as they held a 3-0 lead after scoring a run in the first and two in the second off Midway starter, Matthew Olson.
In the first, Wyatt Belinda singled to score Tanner Levine, who singled earlier in the frame. Then in the second, Doug Prather ripped a triple to score Alex Kotheimer and Abraham Alejandro and give the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead.
After allowing the three runs, Olson was pulled to start the third in favor of Tyler Jones. Olson allowed three runs on three hits, while the Midway offense finally got going in the bottom of the fourth.
Carlos Cespedes singled and Danny Maguire doubled to put runners at second and third with no one out. Jones then helped out his own cause with a single to score Cespedes as Reid Battles reached on a fielder's choice to score Maguire and cut the lead to 3-2.
The Golden Bears added to their lead with a run in the fifth. Prather opened the inning with a single and three batters later, Belinda singled to score Prather.
Midway would dial up an answer in the bottom of the fifth and tie the game at 4-4. Barrett Croslin reached on a fielder's choice and Cespedes was hit by the pitch. After Maguire singled to load the bases, Jones once again helped his cause with a single to score Croslin and Cespedes.
Right before Jones stepped to the plate, the Golden Bears changed pitchers. Chris Davidson started the tossed 4.2 innings allowing four runs on seven hits. Marcus Rodriguez entered the game out of the bullpen and pitched to Jones.
Then in the seventh, the Golden Bears scored what turned out to be the game winning run. Pinch hitter, Brian Schack walked to open the inning and Prather laid down a bunt as pinch runner, Roland Eusebio was safe on an error.
With runners at first and second, Jones was pulled for Jake McCoy out of the bullpen. McCoy got a strikeout as Levine reached on a fielder's choice putting runners at first and third with two outs. After Levine stole second, Eusebio scored on a passed ball to give his team a 5-4 lead.
Rodriguez sent the Eagles down in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the 5-4 win for himself and his team. Rodriguez (2-0) allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings of work.
Tyler Jones took the loss for the Eagles. The junior allowed two runs – one earned – on three hits in four innings of work on the mound.