MEMPHIS-The Christian Brothers University Bucs scored six runs in the first three innings, and the bullpen threw six scoreless innings as they held on for a 6-4 win over Illinois Wesleyan Thursday afternoon at Nadicksbernd Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Titans (4-5) struck first as they loaded the bases in the top of the first on two singles and a walk, with a groundout scoring the first run.
• CBU (6-17) answered with a pair in the bottom of the inning.
Mickey Smith (Arlington, Tenn./Arlington HS) worked a one-out walk, and
Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) followed with a single through the right side.
Christian Halterman (Dyersburg, Tenn./Dyer County HS) doubled to the gap in left-center to bring both home and give CBU a 2-1 lead.
• IWU tacked on a run in the top of the second on a single, a sacrifice bunt and a double.
• The Bucs regained the lead for good with a run in the second inning.
Riley Kilgore (Cordova, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) legged out an infield single but was out when
Kyle Hindman (Munford, Tenn./Munford HS) grounded into a force play. Hindman stole second and scored when
Michael Halley (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) singled to center.
• The Bucs scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Goodwin led off with a walk, and he moved to third on a one-out single by
Lucas Castleberry (Bryant, Ark./Bryant HS). After Castleberry stole second, he moved to third on a wild pitch that scored Goodwin.
Caleb Goodwin (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) followed with an RBI double, and a pair of wild pitches brought him around to give CBU a 6-2 lead.
• The Titans scored twice in the fourth inning, on a single, a hit batter and a double.
KEY STATS:• Halterman went 2-for-4 wth a double, a stolen base and two RBI.
• Halley was 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI.
• Kilgore went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch.
• Casey Goodwin was 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.
• Castleberry went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run.
• Caleb Goodwin was 1-for-4 with a run and one RBI.
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Jeff Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) went 1-for-4 with a double.
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Matthew Mills (Memphis, Tenn./First Assembly Christian School) earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings of relief.
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Will Rutledge (Nashville, Tenn./Father Ryan HS) threw a scoreless sixth inning.
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Cale Alexander (Bartlett, Tenn./Tipton-Rosemark Academy) threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout against one hit.
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Peyton Sanderlin (Collierville, Tenn./Collierville HS) nailed down his second save with a perfect ninth.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Bucs hit the road for a GSC series this weekend, visiting Mississippi College for a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m. single game Sunday. Their next home game is Friday, March 25, when they host West Florida for a noon doubleheader.