Baseball team opens weekend series against LSU with win
Bison Athletics |
The Tigers wasted no time getting on the board with a run in the first. The Bisons would tie the score in the top of the second on an RBI by Andrew Nickerson.
LSU would retake the lead with two more runs in the bottom of the inning.
However, for the second straight inning, the Bisons fought back, scoring two runs of their own. Allen Bolden led off with a walk, before advancing to second when Caleb Joseph was hit by a pitch. The runners would then move to second and third on a balk. One out later, Ryan Wilkins singled up the middle, bringing in both runs, and tying the game at three.
The Tigers gained another two run advantage with runs in both the third and fourth innings.
But the Bisons were not done. An RBI single by Donnie Amos, brought Lipscomb to within one. The Tigers would increase their lead to two again with a run in the sixth.
With time running out, Shane Simpkins got the Bisons rally started with a lead-off double in the seventh. Justin Sanders followed with a single, and Simpkins scored all the way from first on an error by the Tigers' second baseman on the play. After Sanders advanced to third on a balk, he would score on a wild pitch, knotting the game at six.
The game would not stay tied for long. Bolden led off the eighth with a double down the right field line, setting up Simpkins to drive in the eventual winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Several Bisons had a big night at the plate with Bolden, Simpkins, and Nickerson recording two hits each. Amos led the team in hits with three.
However, the story of the night was undoubtedly Bisons' right-hander Brandon McClurg who pitched 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, giving up just two hits while striking out six, and earning the win to bring his record to 2-0. In 21 innings this season, McClurg has given up just two earned runs while striking out 18. His ERA stands at an impressive .86 and opponents are batting just .189 against him.
The Bisons are back in action when they take on LSU in game two of the series on Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. Left-hander Rex Brothers is expected to take the mound for the Bisons. On the season, Brothers is 3-1 with a 4.85 ERA. In 13 innings, he has given up seven earned runs while striking out ten. Opponents are batting .222 against him.