THE RUNDOWN
Saturday afternoon, DBU (15-12, 5-3 CUSA) fell to Missouri State (17-8, 6-2 USA) by a score of 8-2, forcing a rubber match on Sunday. Patriot starter
Jared Schaeffer tossed four and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs while striking out four in the process.
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Schaeffer delivered a one-two-three inning in the top of the first, before the Patriots tacked on their first run of the afternoon.
Luke Pettitte was plunked before advancing to second on a groundout, and with two away in the inning,
Cooper Neville punched an opposite-field single, scoring Pettitte and giving DBU a 1-0 lead in the first.
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After trading zeros in the second, the Patriots were able to add to their lead in the bottom of the third. After reaching base via walks,
Luke Pettitte and
Ben Tryon served as baserunners on first and third. With two outs, Pettitte took off for second base on a steal attempt, drawing a throw from the catcher, allowing Tryon to score before Pettitte was thrown out.
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Neither side would bring a run home until the top of the fifth, when the Bears would tie the game at two with a two-run double off the bat of Gabe Roessler.
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JT Long,
Aiden VanDeHatert, and
Avery Duncan combined to toss a scoreless sixth and seventh innings, as the game remained knotted at 2-2 entering the eighth inning.
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The Bears would jump out to a lead in the top of the eighth, plating runs on a Bobby Atkinson RBI double and a Logan Fyffe sacrifice fly. Entering the bottom half of the frame, DBU trailed 4-2.
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Chayton Krauss and
Ryan Martin would reach base in the bottom of the eighth on free passes, but both would eventually be stranded, resulting in a scoreless inning.
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In the ninth, Missouri State put up a four-spot before blanking the Patriots in the bottom half, putting a lid on game two of the weekend set.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- In his last two starts,
Jared Schaeffer has combined to throw 10.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out nine.
- Patriot hitters recorded a season-low two hits this afternoon, but earned nine free passes (seven walks, two hit by pitches).
- Missouri State held DBU to a .071 batting average with runners on base today.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
69.3% -
Jared Schaeffer turned in a strike percentage of 69.3% today.
0 -
Aiden VanDeHatert extended his scoreless innings streak to four this afternoon.
4 - In his return to the lineup, shortstop
Dylan Cupp led all Patriots with four fielding assists.
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ON DECK
The Patriots conclude their series with Missouri State on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.