Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
SEARCY, Ark. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team (2-8) dropped the first two games of a four-game series with No. 28 Harding (5-0) on Sunday afternoon at Jerry Moore Field. The Chargers nearly knocked off the former Gulf South Conference opponent in both contests of the doubleheader, but fell in extra innings, 5-4, in the first game before dropping a 2-1 decision in game two.
UAH returns to the diamond on Monday for another doubleheader with the Bisons. First pitch of game one is slated for noon CST.
GAME ONE
Harding claimed game one, 5-4, on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning of a scheduled seven-inning game, handing UAH its third loss this year on walk-off runs.
After the Bisons struck first with one run in the bottom of the third inning, the Chargers crossed four runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 advantage.
Vincent Kortbawi started off the four-run frame for the Chargers with a leadoff single, and was followed by a bunt single by Blake Massey. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before Kortbawi tied the game on a sac fly by Jon McKinney. With runners on first and second, Justin Pearson hit a single to the second basemen who then overthrew the bag, which allowed Massey to score. A single by Justin Riddle and a wild pitch brought across the next two runs for UAH to take a 4-1 lead.
Unfortunately, the lead didn't last long as Harding plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to knot the score at 4-4.
The Chargers had a chance to retake the lead in the sixth, as Ty Chancelor led off the frame with a walk and moved over to second on a sac bunt. Chancelor then advanced to third, with just one out, on a wild pitch but a ground out and strikeout ended the inning.
Again, UAH had a runner in scoring position with one out in the ninth inning but the Blue and White couldn't bring the runner around to score as a popup and strikeout followed.
Harding needed just three batters to earn the win in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Paul Anzalone singled to left field, and moved over to third after a single through the right side. Billy Ninemire connected on the game-winning single into left field to bring across the winning run as Anzalone scored on the play.
Cody Barrett (1-2) was tagged with his second loss of the year, working 3.1 innings in relief of Dana Wright. Barrett allowed one run on four hits and one strikeout. Harding's Cameron Walker (1-0), also working in relief, earned the win after 4.1 scoreless innings on the hill, allowing just one hit and striking out three Chargers.
GAME TWO
The second game of the doubleheader was a change of pace as the pitchers battled it out to a 2-1 defeat for the Chargers.
Drew Eiland (0-2) worked the complete-game 6.0 innings for UAH on the mound, fanning six batters along the way while allowing two runs on six hits. Hayden Shirley (2-0) picked up the win while lasting 5.0 innings, allowing the lone run on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
Harding's Bronson Smith earned his second save of the year, coming in for 2.0 innings in which he fanned three batters and allowed one hit.
Ty Chancelor doubled to bring in the first run of the game in the first inning, plating Justin Pearson from second base. Pearson had drawn a leadoff walk and stole second to get into scoring position.
The Bisons knotted the game at 1-1 in similar fashion, with a leadoff walk by Kyle Atkins who was moved over on a groundout to the pitcher. Atkins then stole third and scored on a Chase Presley single into right field.
In the third inning, Atkins legged out a leadoff triple and then scored what would be the game-winning run on Presley single into right field.
UAH had runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth inning but couldn't bring the runs across as the next three batters reached on a fielder's choice (out at third), popped out to second base and struck out.
