Golden Bears sweep Spring Hill, take top spot in SIAC West
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
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MOBILE, Ala. -- One day after being shellacked in the opener of a three-game series against Spring Hill, Miles fought back to sweep Saturday's doubleheader, 3-1 and 5-2, to win the series and move into a tie with the Badgers (23-19, 11-4 SIAC West) on top of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Western Division.
Austin Pate tossed his fourth consecutive complete game victory for the Golden Bears (19-18, 11-4) while
Ryan Bargery and
Reeves Brashear each had four hits over the two games to pace the offense.
GAME 1: Miles 3, Spring Hill 1
The Golden Bears did all their scoring in the second inning off Badgers starter Justin Whitsett (6-4).
Kolby Brannon led of the frame with a single and
Alex Foster was hit by a pitch.
Trent Ridlehover followed with a single to left center that scored Brannon and put Miles on the board. After a sacrifice bunt by
Gary Mason, Jr. moved the runners up, Whitsett uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Foster to score. One out later, Brashear singled to left to plate Ridlehover for a 3-0 advantage.
That was all the runs Pate (7-1) needed. The senior right hander was not as sharp as he has been in previous outing but he did not allow an earned run against the Badgers, giving him four consecutive starts where he has given up one earned run or less. He worked in and out of trouble most of the afternoon, allowing seven hits, six walks and a hit batsman. His only 1-2-3 inning came in the third and he allowed an unearned run in the seventh, but with the tying run at the plate, he induced a fielder's choice ground ball to secure the win.
GAME 2: Miles 5, Spring Hill 2
In the nightcap, Miles wasted little time getting on the board. Bargery's one-out double was followed by a run-scoring single from
Xavius Burden to give the Golden Bears the quick advantage. The team then broke the game open against SHC starter Austin Barrios (3-5) in the second. With two outs,
Damion Williams doubled to right center and
Justin Bisharat followed with a RBI single. After
Alex Bentley was hit by a pitch, Brahsears doubled to left to score Bisharat. When the ball was mishandled out in left, Bentley would also come around and score to give Miles a 4-0 advantage.
Spring Hill's offense would start to come alive in the bottom of the second against Miles starter
William Donahoo. Hunter Romero led off the inning with a solo home run. Bargery would add a RBI single in the fourth to give Miles a 5-1 lead but the Badgers would get a bases loaded walk to get that run back in the bottom of the inning. Burden (1-2) would come in to relieve Donahoo and got a fly out to end the threat. He would pitch the final 3 2/3 innings allowing just two hits and no runners past first base to pick up his first victory of the season.
UP NEXT: The Golden Bears will travel to Selma for a non-conference doubleheader against Concordia-Alabama on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
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