Cleveland State Wins Conference Series at Columbia State

The Cougar baseball team won two of three games this weekend at Columbia State.

"Good series win on the road against a team really hard to beat at their place," Cleveland State head baseball coach Aaron Bryant said. "Glad to get to .500 and hopefully this gets us rolling."

After starting their season losing four of their first five games, the Cougars (8-8, 4-2) have won seven of their last 11 to get themselves to a .500 winning percentage for the first time this season while also finding themselves at third place in the conference standings.

While Adam Baker started pitching a gem for the Cougars to open their series going six innings allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out five and walking two, it was Brody Casteel (2-1) that was credited with the win in his inning of work allowing one hit while striking out a batter, as Cleveland State took the lead in the same inning. Eric Enerlich picked up his second save of the season throwing the final inning striking out a batter and walking one.

Cleveland State was held scoreless until the seventh inning when they scored two to tie the game and plated another two in the top of the eighth to help secure the 4-2 win. First baseman Nelson McKnight drove in three runs while shortstop Jon Jon Read hit in the other.

The Chargers shut-out Cleveland in game two by a score of 6-0. The Cougars could only muster three hits against Columbia State's two pitchers while striking out 13 times. Third baseman Evan Goins was the only Cleveland State player to record an extra base hit doubling in the game.

The Cougars banged out eight hits in the rubber game of the series taking a 7-4 victory. It was back and forth for the first five innings, but Parker Coe came in the final three innings earning his first save of the season shutting down the Chargers bats allowing no runs on one hit while striking out seven and walking three. Turner Junkins (2-1) picked up the win going six innings allowing four earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking four.

Goins homered in the game driving in two while McKnight also drove in a couple. Centerfielder Nate Dunfee went 3-5 doubling and scoring three times.

Cleveland State returns home Tuesday for their next game hosting Gordon State College (6-9) with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. The two met at the Highlanders field back on February 4 putting together an impressive 18-6 offensive display win against the Cougars.

Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations