Cougars Lose, Splitting Four-Game Series with Vincennes

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Cougars Lose Final Game of Series with Vincennes
February 9, 2025
Cleveland State lost the final game of their series today with Vincennes University 14-6.
 
The two teams split their four game series, each winning two games. 
 
"Tough loss, we have to regroup and get ready to go for conference play next weekend," head coach Aaron Bryant said.  
 
In the top of the first second baseman Bradyn Douglas walked to lead off the game, then advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Centerfielder Jevan Andrews then walked on four pitches before a base hit by left fielder Nate Montgomery loaded the bases.  Another wild pitch sent Douglas home before third baseman Corbin Napier walked to load the bases again.  Designated hitter Jarret Phillips walked sending home a run ending starter Will Webb's day.
 
Reliever Isaiah Verge came in relief for the Cougars with no outs and bases loaded.  First baseman Yancey Edlin welcomed him in with a base hit sending in Montgomery.  Then, a wild pitch play at the plate was called out as right fielder Noble Johnson unintentionally blocked the catcher from the tag for the first out of the game.  Johnson struck out before catcher Carter Gricius flew out to centerfield to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the first, centerfielder Nate Dunfee led off before left fielder Brogan Jones singled to left field.  Jones would stay in and run, but would be replaced in the top of the second by Riley Mahan after he appeared to sustain an injury.  Catcher Ty Denton reached after being hit by a pitch before designated hitter Nelson McKnight walked to load the bases.  First baseman Aiden McClary hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Jones getting the Cougars on the board.  
 
Shortstop Bryce Gross led off the top of the second with a double in the left centerfield gap.  Douglas then bunted and the throw to third was late to get Gross with it going down as a base hit.  Montgomery then singled home Gross before Napier doubled off the right centerfield wall to bring in another run.  After Phillips struck out, Edlin singled up the middle plating another run to give the Trail Blazers a 6-1 lead.  
 
In the top of the third catcher Carter Gricius led off with a walk, then entered pitcher Tyler Pickens for the Cougars who already had a win in the series.  Gross singled up the middle on the first pitch, then Douglas bunted over the runners to second and third.  Andrews hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Gricius to end the scoring in the inning. 
 
Mahan led the bottom of the third off with a walk.  Denton doubled to the left centerfield gap driving in Mahan before McKnight grounded out to second moving Denton to third.  McClary then walked putting runners on the corners when Owens hit a sacrifice fly to center field bringing in Denton, ending the Trail Blazers (2-2) starting pitcher Kyle Holder's day.  
 
On the first pitch for reliever Ty Stultz McClary stole second base.  Second baseman Dylan Owens then singled sending home McClary for another run.  
 
After three scoreless innings the Trail Blazers put three base hits together to load the bases in the top of the seventh.  After a fielder's choice at the plate, Pickens walked Andrews forcing home a run ending his day.  Then, Montgomery singled driving in a run.  Reliever Brody Casteel struck out Napier, but a wild pitch allowed another run to score. 
 
Ryan Long pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh doubling in the right centerfield gap before Denton walked.  McKnight then got hit by a pitch to load the bases for McClary, but he grounded out to first base to end the Cougars threat.  
 
Third baseman Evan Goins blasted a line drive home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the eighth for Cleveland State.  The Trail Blazers added another four runs in the top of the ninth.  Then in the final inning Denton doubled, then scored on a McKnight base hit where he was thrown out trying to leg out a double for the final run of the game.  
 
Cleveland State (2-6) heads to Calhoun Community College on Tuesday for their next game with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
 
Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations