2/10/19
(CLEVELAND) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team completed the first sweep of the season against Clarke University, who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA national top 25 poll, after winning games two and three with walk offs on Saturday afternoon (4-3, 4-3). The Bears improved to an overall record of 5-3.
GAME ONE
TMU was unable to capitalize on runners in scoring position throughout the game until freshman John Michael McRae started the sixth inning with a line drive single to left field. Junior Evan Bensch followed up with a one out double that would send McRae around to score the Bears’ first run of the game (3-1).
Junior Josh Johnston got the bottom of the seventh inning started with a leadoff walk. After a quick two outs, senior Patrick Overstreet singled through the hole at shortstop to send Johnston to third base to keep the inning alive. McRae then reached base safely on an error that scored Johnston and sent Overstreet to third (3-2). Junior Jackson Meadors had the clutch single to right field that would score Overstreet to tie the game (3-3).
The game went into extra innings and after a scoreless top of the eighth, freshman Connor Bearden started the inning with a double to deep right-center field. Freshman Will Ingram came up next and reached safely on a perfectly placed bunt that advanced Bearden to third. After Johnston reached base on an intentional walk, junior Calob Rowland was hit by a pitch which brought the game winning run home for the Bears.
ON THE MOUND, GAME ONE
Senior Gregory Elder Jr. started on the mound and had an outstanding performance that included six innings pitched, tallied 14 strikeouts and only two walks while giving up three earned runs. Freshman Avery Hopperpicked up the win as he entered the game in relief in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and two outs. Hopper was able to get the batter to pop out to third base.
GAME TWO
It was McRae who got the Bears’ offense rolling once again where he hit a one out triple in the top of the second inning. Meadors then hit a RBI single that would score McRae to tie the game at 1-1. The Bears would remain scoreless until the sixth inning when Johnston blasted a solo shot over the right field fence (3-2).
After the Bears held the Pride scoreless in the top of the seventh, TMU needed more late game heroics from the batting lineup in order to win the game. Meadors was hit by a pitch with one out to get the inning going. Freshman Jake Beach came in to pinch hit and reached safely on a fielder’s choice. After a two out walk by Bensch and a passed ball, the Pride chose to intentional walk Johnston to load the bases. Senior Austin Bishopcame up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, where he sent a double down the right field line on a full count that would score Beach and Bensch to win the game in walk off fashion.
ON THE MOUND, GAME TWO
Sophomore Craig Barton started for Bears where he threw six innings, giving up only three earned runs. It was Hopper who entered the game again in the top of the seventh to shut the Pride down and pick up his second win of the day. Hopper had another productive appearance as he held the Pride hitless to keep the score tied, which gave the Bears the chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.
UP NEXT
The Bears are on the road Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Emmanuel College. First pitch is at 3:00 p.m.
