Miles celebrated
Judson McKinney,
Trey Rutledge and
Max Davenport on Saturday as the Golden Bears observed Senior Day for the trio prior to a doubleheader against Kentucky State. The trio each had a hand in the team sweeping the twinbill, taking the opening game 7-5 before dominating the nightcap 7-1. Miles (22-19, 20-9) currently sits in fourth place in the SIAC with an opportunity to finish second with one weekend remaining in regular season play.
GAME 1 - Miles 7, Kentucky State 5
After squandering a three-run lead in the sixth, Miles was able to add runs in the seventh and eight to pull out the victory.
Nick Copen led off the seventh with a single, advanced to second on a balk, made it to third on a wild pitch, then scored on another wild pitch to give Miles a 6-5 lead. In the eighth, Davenport led off with a single before stealing second and third. He came around on a RBI single by
Kaleb Priest for an insurance run.
Austin Douglas, who entered the game in the eighth, retired all six hitters he faced for his first save of the season.
Mason Kirby (2-2) earned the win, allowing just one hit and striking out two in two innings of relief.
GAME 2 - Miles 7, Kentucky State 1
Trent Jones and
Camden Matthews combined on a three-hitter as Miles took an early lead and fought back all threats to finish the sweep. Rutledge was in the middle of all the action. He singled and scored in the first on a run-scoring single by Copen before launching a rocket down the left field line for a two-run homer - his team-leading fourth on the season - and a 3-0 lead in the third. He added another RBI single in the fifth to close out the scoring.
Priest had a RBI double in the fourth to help open a 4-0 advantage. Jones was cruising along, striking out four, until the fifth. He put two runners on with a hit by pitch and a walk and Matthews came into the game. One of the runners crossed the plate but Matthews (3-1) pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and did not allow another run while striking out three to pick up the victory.
Tyler Spruill and Priest added RBI in the fifth to buttress Miles' 10-hit attack.
UP NEXT - The Golden Bears close out the regular season with a three-game series at Spring Hill. The teams will play a single game on Friday at 5 p.m. before closing with a doubleheader that begins Saturday at noon.
