Baseball upset in SIAC opener
Box Score
OZARK, Ala. -- Miles fell behind early in its 2016 SIAC Baseball Championships opener against Claflin Thursday afternoon, but it was a late implosion by a reliable pitching staff that led to a 12-7 loss that put the Golden Bears one loss from elimination.
Starting pitcher
Austin Pate gave up a home run to Claflin's leadoff hitter, Elliott Melton, but Miles led 7-5 after two innings. But with a one-run lead going into the seventh, things fell apart for the Golden Bears. Pate allowed the first two hitters to reach in the seventh before being relieved by
Matthew White, who promptly gave up a 2-run double to give the Panthers an 8-7 advantage. Claflin would add another in the inning - and three more in the eighth - to salt away the victory.
Miles looked as if it was going to come out on top early as both teams came out swinging. After falling behind in the top of the first, the Golden Bears got the run back in the bottom of the frame on an
Aaron Williams sacrifice fly. Claflin scored four times in the top of the second but the Golden Bears had a big answer when they came to the plate. Runs batted in by
James Gardner,
Ryan Bargery,
Justin Langdale and
Keland Smith highlighted a six-run inning to give Miles its first lead.
Chase Williams had three hits while Bargery and
Xavius Burden each had two hits for the Golden Bears, who play Albany State Friday at 12 p.m.
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