A trip to warm sunny Miami, Florida was not to be for Tuskegee as the Golden Tigers were swept by Barry University. Tuskegee baseball finished the weekend losing both scheduled double-headers. Barry won the first game 23-6, and the second game 16-3. But the scheduled trip was not a waste.
In game one, Jalen Luter 3 for 4 , Ricky Green 2 for 5 and Lane Williams 2 for 4 at the plate, each singled to score three RBIs in the top of the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to keep Barry down, as the Bucs defeats Tuskegee to come away with the win.
Tuskegee pitching could not get the benefit of home plate umpire calls for strikes on the corners of the plate as Barry was able to capitalize on the 12 walks in the game. Both Jordyn Thomas and Nytorious Cooler performed well in spite of not getting calls had high pitch counts. The Golden Tigers would end up using three pitchers in the game, with Thomas taking the loss (0-1).
Tuskegee plated its first run of the game in the fifth, Doug Brown singled to center field, advanced to second on a Barry throwing error scored Elgin Woodside.
In Game 2, Tuskegee wasted an opportunity to score as Ricky Green hits a triple in the top of 1st inning but the third strike out of the inning left Green stranded. Bottom of first inning, Barry plates four runs on five hits. Tuskegee pitchers were unable to find the strike zone.
Tuskegee’s Matthew Reed connects with a two run home run, his first of the year, plating two for the Golden Tigers at the top of the fourth, but that was not enough as Tuskegee falls to 5-7 this season.
Head Coach Reginald Hollins and his staff walked away from this series better prepared for the season. His team has not faced top caliber collegiate pitching before the start of this series. Barry’s game one starter, Alex Lavandero pitching velocity has attracted major league baseball scouts, recorded 11 strikeouts. LHP Jonathan Hernandez mixed his pitches well kept Tuskegee batters off-balance as he recorded 9 Ks. Coach Hollins stated “this was an excellent opportunity for our young guys to face top-notched pitching and develop from this. This series helps our building process as we continue to improve mature and grow as a team. We will be more focused and prepared to compete and win ball-games. The series provided that opportunity.”
Noteworthy:
In game one Luter has three hits for Tuskegee, Brown a triple and two singles…Game 2 Reed’s HR first of the year. Green second double of the game.