5 Run 1st Inning Not Enough as SPSU Sweeps Double-Header from Lions, Winning Gm 2 10-6
February 19, 2008
Marietta, GA—After dropping game 1 to the Hornets of Southern Polytech, the Lions refocused and exploded for 5 runs in the opening frame of game 2. Taking advantage of 3 Hornet errors, and getting 4 big hits, the Lions chased SPSU Starter Jason Van Domelen after only 1/3 of an inning. When the dust settled on the first frame, the Lions held a 5-0 lead over their hosts.
Southern Poly went down quietly in the first, but tacked on 2 more runs in the 2nd to cut the lead to 3. Bryan extended its lead back to 4 after Brad Starnes hit a monster solo homerun in the top of the 3rd, but the Hornets rallied in the bottom half of the inning, tying the score at 6. Dustin Carder, on in relief of Van Domelen, limited the Lions to just 1 run over 5 2/3 innings, keeping his team in the ballgame.
Daniel Zimmerman came on in relief of Lions’ starter Jeremiah Peters and threw well, surrendering only 1 run on 3 hits in an inning and a third of work. It was that run, however, which would prove to be the difference maker. Zimmerman would give way to Mark Barnwell, but the junior had trouble consistently finding the strike zone, walking 2 and surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits in just 2 1/3 innings. Clinging to a 10-6 lead, the Hornets brought in closer DJ Nordquist to close out the game. Nordquist was perfect in his 1 inning of work, retiring the side in order.
The loss dropped the Lions record to 7-5 with just over a week before opening conference play at Union College(Ky.). Next up for Bryan is the first annual Bryan College/Tennessee Temple Invitational, where the Lions will take on Taylor University(In.) on Friday in a double-header and Tennsee Temple on Saturday.
Also Notable: Lions’ junior 1B, Matt Hicks, drove in 3 runs on the day pushing his team leading total to 14 in just 12 games. Brad Starnes continues to swing the hot stick for the Lions, hitting a blistering .455 on the year with 2 HRs, 1 3b, 3 2bs and is slugging .705 with 13 RBIs. Junior 3B Will Newman and freshman SS JD Davis are also in double-digits in the RBI column, with 10 and 11 respectively.