The Cougars took advantage of the long ball as they slugged two home runs in each game as they swept the Motlow State Bucks by 4-3 and 7-4 triumphs. Home runs gave them the lead in both games while later home runs provided insurance runs as they picked up two important conference wins.
OIn game 1, the visitors would score a single run in the top of the 4th inning a bases loaded walk. In the Cougars' bottom half of the inning, Reese Plemmons would stroke a two run homer over the left field fence to plate himself and Ryan McCarthy with two outs. Lance Dockery would score in the fifth on a fielder's choice by McCarthy. Jacob Robinson would blast a drive in the sixth inning for needed insurance as the Bucks would rally for two runs in the top of the seventh.
In the game, Robinson would be the only Cougar with multiple hits as he added a single to go with his home run. Bryce Jenkis would pick up the win on the mound as he went the first four innings, giving up tow hits and one earned run while walking five and striking out six batters. Daniel Crabtree would pick up the save as he got the last two outs of the game, surrendering one hit and striking out one batter.
In game two, the Bucks would score in the first inning on a two run home run. The Cougars would take the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Dockery would drive in Matt Schultz for the first run. Jenkins would score on a wild pitch before McCarthy would send one over the left field fence for a two run shot for a 4-2 lead. Schultz would score again in the fourth on a Motlow error. Schultz would score his third run of the day as hescored ahead of a two run home run by Jenkins in the bottom of the 7th inning after Motlow had closed the score to 5-4.
Kaleb Orr would pick up the win as he went 4 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs. He would walk five and strike out four Bucks. Three Cougar relievers would surrender 3 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks while striking out 11 batters. Bryce Houghton would work a perfect final inning to pick up the save.
The Cougars even their overall record at 10-10 and move their conference record to 3-5. They will travel to Tullahoma on Wednesday to play the Bucks in a doubleheader with the games to start at 1p.m. EST.
