The DBU Patriots split the doubleheader on Monday afternoon with the University of Portland at Patriot Field. The Patriots won the first game by the score of 9-2, but lost the nightcap 13-9. The Pilots are 1-2 and DBU is now 2-1 on the season.
In game one of the doubleheader, Junior Rodney Brantley picked up the win, his first of the season, pitching six innings, allowing two runs, one earned on four hits, while striking out two.
The Pilots jumped out to an early lead scoring one run in the top of the second inning.
The Patriots responded by scoring three runs in the third inning. Freshman Will Stramp started the inning with a single and Freshman Brandon Bantz followed with a RBI triple. Sophomore Austin Krum added a base hit bunt and Junior Matt Tucker hit a two RBI triple, making the score 3-1.
DBU added another run in the fourth inning, after Junior Ross Olson doubled to lead off the inning and Stramp hit a RBI single to scoring Olson and give the Patriots a 4-1 lead.
Portland added one run in the sixth, but the Patriots responded in the seventh with five runs. Freshman Trevor Head reached on a double and Senior Israel Victor and Bantz both walked to load the bases. Tucker added a two RBI single and Senior Jeremy Goldschmeding followed with a three-run homerun over the left field wall, leaving the score 9-2.
In game two, Portland used solo homeruns in the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead. They added to their lead in the third inning, with back to back homeruns and a RBI single, pushing the score to 5-0.
DBU added a run in the bottom half of the inning, after Stramp and Victor singled to start the inning and Senior Brad Boles doubled to score Stramp, leaving the score 5-1.
Portland used a two-run homerun in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly to increase their lead to 8-1.
The Patriots managed to score one run in the bottom of the fifth inning, on a sacrifice fly by Senior Cody Montgomery scoring Boles, who walked to start the inning.
The Pilots added another run in the sixth inning to make the score 9-2.
DBU mounted a come back in the seventh inning, after Victor singled and Boles walked, which set up a RBI single. Montgomery followed with a three-run homerun, his first of the season, forcing a pitching change for the Pilots. Senior Drew Holder and Junior Jimmy Thoma each walked and Tucker reached first when he was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Holder scored on a balk and Stramp added a RBI groundout to leave the score 9-8 after seven innings.
The Patriots loaded the bases in the eighth, after Boles walked, Krum singled and the Pilots intentionally walked Montgomery. Thoma reached on an error, scoring pinch runner TJ Bloodworth, tying the game 9-9.
The Pilots scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning, retaking the lead 13-9, which would be the final score.
Senior Stuart Sutherland was stuck with the loss, falling to 0-1 on the season.
The fourth and final game of the series will be on Tuesday afternoon beginning at 4:00 at Patriot Field.
