2-15-20

(CLEVELAND) — The Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Indiana University Kokomo at the TMU Baseball Complex for game one of a NAIA nonconference three-game series. The Cougars took game one 8-2 to improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Bears fell to 3-7.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

The Cougars got up on the scoreboard first in the top of the second on a homer over the left field fence (0-1), but the Bears responded with two of their own in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Mason McLendon’s double to deep left-center brought home freshman Brian Meyer, after he reached base on a hit by pitch, for the tying run (1-1) but fellow freshman Tanner Griffith forced a fielder’s choice, which allowed sophomore Andrew Johnston to score (2-1). However, that would be the last time the Bears scored the rest of the way.

IU Kokomo scored again in the top of the fourth on a single to shallow center (2-2) but TMU was unable to answer leaving two on base in the fifth. Nonetheless, the Cougars took off in the sixth scoring four earned runs and it was only up from there (2-6). After the Bears left two on base again in the sixth, IU Kokomo put up two more runs (2-8). TMU worked to get runners on second and third with zero outs but three straight fly outs kept the Bears scoreless as the game ultimately proved to be out of reach.

LEADERS

McLendon led the offense with a RBI double (1-for-3), while Mason Gaines also recorded a double on his first and only at-bat. Griffith recorded the other RBI, while Josh Johnston and Devyn Munroe added a hit apiece.

Sophomore Brooks Rosser made the start from the mound throwing 5.2 innings of eight hits, six runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Jonathan JoinerMiller McCathren and Jacob Adams also made an appearance for the Bears.

UP NEXT

The Bears have a quick turnaround as they host IU Kokomo for games two and three on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., (two seven innings).