Box Score COCHRAN, Ga. – The Thomas University baseball team opened the 2020 season Saturday at Middle Georgia State, falling 13-0 in the first game and 2-1 in 11 innings in game two at Stuckey Field.
Game One
MGS took a six-run lead after two innings, then added five in the fourth and two in the sixth to defeat Thomas in the first game of the season for both teams. TU tallied three hits, one apiece from
Maury Gonzalez,
Brad Toxen and a double from
Alex Mitchell, the Night Hawks' only extra base hit.
Luis Martinez drew a pair of walks.
Starting pitcher
Jorge Meran took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, from five hits, while striking out five and allowing three walks in 2.0 innings. In 1.2 innings of relief,
Owen Simonds allowed five runs, three earned, from five hits and a pair of walks, then closer
Dillon Rutland allowed two runs from two hits in 2.1 innings.
Game Two
Thomas scored one run in the first inning, then MGS knotted the score in the bottom of the second inning. MGS then scored in the bottom of the 11th to sweep the day.
With two outs in the top of the first,
Luis Martinez drew a walk, then
Jake Bryan singled down the left field line and
Brad Toxen hit an RBI single through the hole at shortstop to give TU the early lead.
After a pair of singles and a walk, MGS scored on a sac fly in the bottom of the second to tie the game.
Thomas left a pair of runners on base in both the 10th and 11th innings. Then with two outs and a runner on third in the bottom of the 11th, MGS hit a single through the right side to drive in the winning run.
Closer
Hassan Westbrook was dealt the loss, allowing one run while striking out four and giving up five hits in 4.1 innings. Starter
Patrick Haley tossed 5.0 innings, striking out three while allowing one run from five hits and a pair of walks.
Clayton Faircloth threw 1.1 innings of relief, walking four batters.
Jake Bryan connected on a pair of hits, including one double, and
Brad Toxen was 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Up Next
The teams are back on the field Sunday at 1 p.m. for the third and final game of the series.
