Wise, VA – Bluefield State University baseball split the day with UVA Wise, falling in game one 7-4 and taking game two 5-4.
The Cavaliers got on the board early in game one, scoring two in the first inning. The Big Blue cut the lead to one in the second after a single from Brayden Merrick, a walk from Korbin Bostic, and another single from Noah Moritz to bring Merrick home. The Cavaliers extended their lead after an error in the third.
After a three-up-three-down bottom of the fourth inning, the Big Blue took the 4-3 lead in the fifth. Tahraun Hammond drew the leadoff walk, followed by a single from Peyton Lewis and a walk from Chris Larkin to load the bases. Jean Carlos Diaz singled to left field to bring in two to even the score at three. A sacrifice fly from Jacob Trivette brought in the go-ahead run for the Big Blue. The Cavaliers answered in the bottom of the inning to tie it up at four. A home run in the sixth for the Cavaliers sealed the 7-4 game-one victory.
Will Austin started on the mound for the Big Blue, pitching four innings and giving up six hits, three runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Kerry Collins picked up the loss with one hit, two runs, four walks, and two strikeouts.
The Big Blue bounced back to get on the board first in game two in the second inning. Trivette led off the inning and was hit by the pitch. Bostic singled to right field to advance Trivette to third. Bostic stole second, and Trivette scored to take the 1-0 lead. The Cavaliers took the one-run lead in the third, but the Big Blue answered back in the fourth to take the 5-2 lead. Bostic led off the inning with a home run to right center to tie it up at two. Moritz doubled down the left field line, followed by a walk from Hammond. After both moved into scoring position, Moritz scored on a balk. Lewis doubled down the left field line to extend the Big Blue lead 4-2. Chris Larkin singled up the middle to bring in Lewis. The Cavaliers added one in the sixth and one in the seventh, but a third out strike out from Alex Kanipe sealed the 5-4 victory for the Big Blue.
Zach Powell earned the win for the Big Blue, pitching five innings with five hits, three runs, six walks and struck out four. Alex Kanipe earned the save, throwing two innings with two hits, one run, and struck out one.
Up Next
The Big Blue will travel to Carolina University on Tuesday, April 9th, for a doubleheader contest starting at 1 p.m.
