MEMPHIS—The Christian Brothers University Bucs used a pair of three-run innings to claim a 7-2 win over Bethel Monday afternoon at Buc Field as they snapped their losing skid.
The Bucs (15-22-1) scored the game's first run in the second inning as
Lans Hardin (Keystone Heights, Fla./Keystone Heights HS) scored on a passed ball. He hit a leadoff single to start the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice, and advanced to third on a balk.
In the fifth, the Bucs turned in a three-run inning.
Jimmy Franklin (Knoxville, Tenn./Powell HS) doubled down the left field line to start the threat, and a
Will Wilson (Cordova, Tenn./First Assembly Christian School) single to right pushed him to third.
Rob Maxwell (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS) hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Franklin, and Hardin ripped a triple into the right-field corner to send Wilson home. A
Jake Williams (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) sacrifice fly brought Hardin home to increase the lead to 4-0.
The Bucs added three more in the sixth inning.
Josh Ambuehl (Las Vegas, Nev./Arlington HS) started the inning with a single. After a
Ryan Knott (Cordova, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) single, Franklin grounded into a fielder's choice, and Ambuehl scored on a throwing error. Franklin stole second and scored on a Wilson double, and Maxwell capped the Bucs' scoring with an RBI single.
Meanwhile,
John Romo (Cordova, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) was cruising on the mound for the Bucs, tossing six scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh. He held the Wildcats (21-17-2) to three hits and two walks over the first six frames before four hits and a walk in the seventh put them on the board.
Aaron Smith (Lewisburg, Miss./Lewisburg HS) came in with the bases loaded and two out in a 7-2 game. A strikeout ended the threat, and he completed the final two innings for his first career save. Romo allowed two runs, both earned, on seven hits and two walks in six and two-third innings, while Smith tossed two and a third scoreless innings while allowing two hits.
The Bucs return to the field this weekend as they host Southern Arkansas in a three-game GSC West series. They play a doubleheader Friday at noon, with a 1 p.m. game Saturday.
