The Kentucky State baseball team opens their 2021 campaign with a 5-3 and 7-4 sweep against the Salem Tigers.
With the two wins in today’s contests, Head Coach Rob Henry said. ” The team did a good job by grinding the match out.”
The team saw a few lead changes during tonight’s contest and Head Coach Henry emphasized the veteran status of his team playing a role in the wins this afternoon, ” With the veterans amongst the team, our ball club understand not to get too low with the low’s and get too high emotionally.”
The weather is looking to play a factor in the final contest slated for Sunday, February 28 at 1 p.m., and Head Coach Henry doesn’t believe it will affect their team too much, ” We are going to have the same focus, the same energy that we had in today’s matchup.” Head Coach Henry said.
GAME ONE
The Salem Tigers got ahead of the Thorobreds early with a two-run home at the bottom of the fourth.
Senior Adren Thompson singled a line drive to left field, allowing Junior Aram Kumar to put the first run on the board for the Thorobreds.
A strong double off a long drive by Junior Josh Graves allowed Senior Dom Lawson, Sophomore Collier Higgs, and Thompson to score and let the Thorobreds take a 4-2 lead at the Top of the Fifth.
Lawson secured the Thorobreds first home run of the season with a line drive over the fence in center field to extend their lead to 5-3 and secure the Thorobreds first win of the season.
Brady Bibbs opened the contest and allowed three runs on four across a six-inning stretch while striking out seven.
Johnathan Morris pitched for the Thorobreds in game one of the doubleheader, securing the victory. The righty lasted one inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out one and walking zero. Morris recorded the last three outs to earn the save for the Thorobreds.
GAME TWO
The Thorobreds came out the starting gate early with Lawson’s line drive into left field, allowing Graduate Student Kevin Givhan II to put the first run on the board. Graves’s line drive to left field allowed Lawson to score and the Thorobreds to close out the first inning 2-3.
The Tigers allow an error at the top of the second inning to allow Kumar and Givhan to score and let the Thorobreds take a 4-3 lead.
Graves singled off of a ground ball to the second baseman who allowed Thompson to put another run on the board and extend their lead to 5-3 at the Top of the Fourth.
Lawson hit a sacrifice fly to center field that gave Senior Byron Famble a chance to score.
Kumar puts the final run on the board for the Thorobreds off of a walk securing a 7-4 win against the Salem Tigers.
Junior Dashawn Hureskin secured the win for the Thorobreds surrendering three runs on four hits over five innings while striking out six.