MEMPHIS-After spotting visiting Rhdoes a six-run lead in the first two innings, the Christian Brothers University Bucs rallied to close within 8-7 with the tying run on third base, but they were unable to plate the tying run in an 8-7 loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Lynx (16-13) opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning on three singles, two walks and an error.
• Rhodes extended its lead to 6-0 in the second inning with three runs on a walk, an error and three singles.
• The Bucs (7-23) began their comeback attempt in the bottom of the second. Back-to-back walks to
Caleb Goodwin (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) and
Scott Pala (Hernando, Miss./Hernando HS) started the inning. After a
Mickey Smith (Arlington, Tenn./Arlington HS) single loaded the bases,
Hunter Howard (Chelsea, Ala./Chelsea HS) worked a bases-loaded walk to score Goodwin. Pala was tagged out at the plate trying to score on a
Jeff Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) flyout.
• The Bucs shaved another run off the lead in the third inning.
Lucas Castleberry (Bryant, Ark./Bryant HS) led off with a double to the gap in left-center. After moving to third on a
Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) flyout, he scored on a Pala single.
• CBU scored two more in the fifth inning. Castleberry led off with a double down the left-field line and scored when Casey Goodwin doubled to right-center. Caleb Goodwin followed with a one-out double to right-center to cut the deficit to 6-4.
• Rhodes added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning on a leadoff Marcus Moreland homer plus another run on a single and two errors.
• The Bucs halved their deficit in the bottom of the eighth. Pala led off with a single and scored when
Andrew Miller (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) hit a pinch-hit double down the right-field line.
Michael Halley (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) singled Miller home to cut the deficit to 8-6.
• CBU closed within a run in the bottom of the ninth. Three consecutive singles by Casey Goodwin,
Joe Mattson (Nashville, Tenn./Franklin Road Academy) and Caleb Goodwin loaded the bases with one out.
Christian Halterman (Dyersburg, Tenn./Dyer County HS) grounded into a force play that scored pinch-runner
Josh Johnson (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy), and a wild throw moved Halterman to second and Caleb Goodwin to third, but a strikeout ended the game.
KEY STATS:• Casey Goodwin was 3-for-5 with a double, a run and one RBI.
• Castleberry went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs.
• Caleb Goodwin was 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a run and one RBI.
• Pala went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and one RBI.
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Cale Alexander (Bartlett, Tenn./Tipton-Rosemark Academy) tossed three scoreless innings of relief, scattering five hits with one strikeout.
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Gil Erwin (Covington, Tenn./Tipton-Rosemark Academy) threw a scoreless ninth, with two strikeouts against a walk.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Bucs return to action Saturday at 2 p.m. as they visit No. 24 Delta State for a doubleheader. Their next home game is set for Saturday, April 9, when they host West Georgia for a noon doubleheader.
