THE RUNDOWN
The No. 15 ranked DBU Patriots (16-6, 2-0 CUSA) defeated the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (12-10, 0-2 CUSA) in seven innings Saturday afternoon to claim a 2-0 series lead. The Patriot bats scored 25 runs, which set a new Horner Ballpark record for most runs scored in a single game.
Patriot starter James Ellwanger was allotted a 70-pitch leash today, and he made the most of it: Ellwanger tossed four scoreless frames while striking out nine. He only allowed three baserunners.
Jake Bennett inherited a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the first and promptly sent a baseball 471 feet over the left field fence, giving the Pats a 4-0 lead after one.
DBU would scratch eight runs across in the second inning, featuring RBI knocks courtesy of Michael Dattalo, Joey Nerat, Keaton Grady, and Cody Grebeck.
The Pats loaded the bases for Bennett again in the third, and he cashed in with an RBI single. Joey Nerat would follow up with a two-run double to make it 16-0 after three.
The DBU offense would score seven more in the fourth, headlined by Tom Poole's seventh home run of the year and a Cody Grebeck three-run double. The Pats led 23-0 after four.
Ellwanger would be pulled for Mason Swinney in the fifth, who would receive the win decision this afternoon. Swinney picked up a strikeout in a two-run fifth.
Tom Poole would set the table for Adam Berghult's second homer of the season in the bottom of the fifth, driving in the final two runs of the game for the Patriots.
Avery Duncan would pick up the seventh inning to tie a bow on a lengthy afternoon at Horner Ballpark, striking out three in a three-run frame.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU now holds a 6-2 lead over the Blue Raiders in the all-time series.
- All nine Patriot hitters in the starting lineup reached via hit this afternoon.
- DBU worked 11 free passes (nine BB, two HBP) this afternoon, setting a season-high mark.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
14Â - Chayton Krauss extended his hit streak to 14 games this afternoon.
4Â - Four of DBU's last six games have resulted in run-rule victories.
1,223Â - Patriot bats launched 1,223 feet worth of home runs this afternoon.
ON DECK
The Pats and Blue Raiders conclude their weekend set tomorrow. Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm
