Grant Cobb, Staff Writer
Kevin Kim, Editor
GAME 1
Berea 6, Transylvania 3
Berea (5-9)
Transylvania (4-6)
GAME 2
Transylvania 8, Berea 3
Transylvania (5-6)
Berea (5-10)
LEXINGTON, KY- Berea baseball split a Wednesday double-header with in state rival, Transylvania University. Berea won the first contest, 6-3, and the Pioneers won the following match, 8-3. The Mountaineers improved their record to 5-10, matching their efforts from a season ago.
The first game featured Berea's primary reliever, Dylan Sallee, starting on the hill. After a solid 2.1 innings, on a strict pitch limit, Berea brought in freshman Zach Perrin, the winning pitcher. Perrin tossed an impressive 1.2, and then it was on to fellow freshman Grant Cobb. Cobb continued the solid pitching performance, coming on by recording a 3 pitch inning. In total, he tossed 2.2 innings and struck out 4, only allowing 1 run. Finally, Junior, Aaron Duncan came in for the unconventional save, throwing 2.1 innings. The offense was awake for the Mountaineers. Sophomore's, Tanner Crowe and Logan Gayheart, had themselves a day at the plate. Crowe went 2-4 with a run scored, and Gayheart, also went 2-4 with 3 runs scored and a 2-run homer in the top of the 2nd.
The second contest saw another freshman, Bubba Lake on the mound. Lake tossed his best performance to date, but it was derailed in the beginning of the 3rd, thanks to a bloody finger. Berea then called on Senior, Griffen Norris, out of the bullpen. On a 25 pitch limit, Norris only pitched 0.2 innings. Bryce Wallingford then came on to get the Mountaineers out of the 3rd, and pitched a solid 2.2 innings. Aaron Duncan came back in to pitch for the second time of the day, and freshman, Michael Gill, came in for his collegiate debut in the 7th. The lack of lights shortened the contest at Marquard Field. Transylvania ultimately defeated the Mountaineers in game 2, 8-3.
Despite the score, Berea played a solid 8 innings of baseball. The Mountaineers limited errors and mistakes. However, the Pioneers came out and played a better 8 innings. At the plate, Berea continued to put the baseball in play. Sophomore, T.C. Eads led the charge with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Tanner Crowe, and Logan Gayheart each had doubles, and combined for a run. Freshman, Bryce Zachary, also had a productive day in his first starts (1-3, 2-6 on the day).
Berea will be back in conference action this weekend at Lookout Mountain, Georgia. The team travels to play Covenant College on Friday afternoon at 3:00, and a Saturday twin bill starting at 12:00pm.