MEMPHIS-The Christian Brothers University Bucs used a three-run sixth inning to claim a 5-4 win in the second game and claim a series victory over Northwest Missouri State after dropping the first game 11-2 Sunday at Nadicksbernd Field.
GAME 1:WHAT HAPPENED:The Bearcats (1-2) scored eight runs over the final two innings to break open a close game and pull away for an 11-2 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• Northwest Missouri opened the scoring in the top of the third inning with two runs on a double, an error, a hit batter, a stolen base and a two-run single.
• The Bucs (3-1) halved the deficit in the bottom of the inning.
Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) singled through the left side to lead off. With two out, he stole second and scored on a
Michael Halley (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) double to left.
• Goodwin tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. He led off with a double to right-center. After
Lucas Castleberry (Bryant, Ark./Bryant HS) sacrificed him to third, he scored on a
Nick Traylor (Germantown, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) single to center.
• The Bearcats regained the lead for good in the top of the sixth, converting on an error and a fielders choice to set up a one-out RBI single.
• Northwest Missouri exploded for five runs in the eighth inning on a double, two singles, an two walks, a hit batter and an error.
• The Bearcats tacked on three more in the top of the ninth on a Jake Lewis homer, a hit batter, two errors and a single.
KEY STATS:• Goodwin went 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored.
• Halley was 1-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
• Castleberry went 1-for-2.
• Traylor was 1-for-2 with a walk and one RBI.
GAME 2:WHAT HAPPENED:The Bucs scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and claim a 5-4 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Bucs opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of runs. Traylor led off with a walk and scored when
Caleb Goodwin (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) doubled down the left field line. Goodwin came home on an RBI single up the middle by
Andrew Miller (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS).
• The Bearcats drew even with two runs in the top of the second on a single, a double, an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly.
• The score remained 2-2 until the bottom of the sixth, when the Bucs broke through.
Hunter Howard (Chelsea, Ala./Chelsea HS) worked a one-out walk, and Casey Goodwin singled through the right side. Pinch-hitter
Blain Curtis (Atoka, Tenn./Tipton Rosemark Academy) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Castleberry drove in the go-ahead run with a perfectly-placed squeeze bunt for a single. Halley drove in another run when he grounded into a force play and a wild throw allowed Curtis to score.
• The Bearcats scored two runs in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of two walks and a bunt single to load the bases with one out. A Nick Gotta double scored two runs, but Garrett Fort was tagged out trying to score the tying run, and
Peyton Sanderlin (Collierville, Tenn./Collierville HS) struck out the final batter to preserve his first save of the season.
KEY STATS:• Caleb Goodwin was 1-for-3 with a double, a run and one RBI.
• Traylor was 0-for-2 but drew two walks and scored a run.
• Miller was 1-for-3 with one RBI.
• Casey Goodwin went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
• Castleberry was 1-for-1 with a walk, a sacrifice and one RBI.
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Ryan Abone (Germantown, Tenn./Houston HS) started and went four innings, allowing two runs on two hits against two strikeouts.
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Will Rutledge (Nashville, Tenn./Father Ryan HS),
Matthew Mills (Memphis, Tenn./First Assembly Christian School) and
Gil Erwin (Covington, Tenn./Tipton-Rosemark Academy) each threw two-thirds of an inning of relief, with Erwin (1-0) earning the win.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Bucs return to action next weekend in their final tuneup before beginning Gulf South Conference play as they host William Woods for a three-game set. They meet for a noon doubleheader Saturday, with a single game set for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
