The Mississippi Valley State University baseball program came within two outs of blanking a non-conference opponent since 2004 as Calvin McClendon and Hunter Stallings teamed up to baffle UAPB batters in a 2-1 victory.
The Basics
- Final Score: Mississippi Valley State 2 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1
- Records: Mississippi Valley State (3-5, 0-0 SWAC) | Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-6, 0-0 SWAC)
- Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas – Torii Hunter Baseball Complex
- Series History: N/A
- Winning Streak: Mississippi Valley State (W1) | Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Last Win: April 16, 2013 (24-5)
Mississippi Valley State Top Performers
- Davon Mims is the unsung hero in an afternoon dominated by the pitching staffs, plating the only two runs of the game in the top of the second with a two-RBI single which was all Mississippi Valley needed to come away with a dub.
- McClendon showcased ace-like ability on the bump in just his fourth career start, facing 24 batters and striking out two while allowing just three hits and three walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. To date, it was his longest outing of his MVSU tenure as he notched career win number one.
- Stallings was nearly just as effective as his predecessor, going 2.2 frames while allowing one run, two hits and two walks to go along with a pair of Ks, collecting his first save of his collegiate career.
- Jan Tolentino and Angel Perez were both just as instrumental to the victory as Mims, McClendon, and Stallings were since the ballgame ends in a hard to swallow 1-0 defeat if the duo does not score. Tolentino walked his way on-base before Perez sent a single into centerfield then they both moved into scoring position after a passed ball to set up Mims’ game-winner. The catcher and second baseman were also the only two players to reach safely twice for Coach Stubbs’ group as well.
- Dreylin Holmes continues his power surge, smacking a double to right for his fourth extra-base hit out of six.
- Finally, Eric Johnson II got to first base the unpleasant way, as he ate a pitch in the batter’s box before making the pitcher pay by subsequently stealing second.
Game two between the Delta Devils and Golden Lions will go down Saturday at 1 p.m. inside the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex as MVSU hopes to win the series.