The Cougars lost their season opener today after a bases loaded hit by pitch.
There were five lead changes throughout the game and it was tied heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Cleveland State (0-1) couldn't pull it out at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (1-4) losing 8-7.
"It was a very good baseball game," head coach Michael Policastro said. "ABAC was able to take advantage of free bases late in the game to erase our lead and win the game in the ninth inning."
Leadoff batter Kain Collins scored Cleveland State's first run of the season after walking in the game's first at bat and scoring on a wild pitch. ABAC put up three runs in the bottom of the first with two of those coming from a two-run home run by clean-up batter C.J. Rose.
The Cougars tied the game up at three in the top of the second with Nate Dunfee hitting an RBI double and Brayden Evans driving in another on a ground out to third. Cleveland State then put up three more runs in the top of the fourth with Evans tallying another RBI and Riley Orr batting in two on a single.
ABAC tied the game back up scoring three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Cougars retook the lead after Goins singled sending Orr to the plate, but that was the last time Cleveland State put up a run on the board.
ABAC scored one in the eighth to tie the game, then in the bottom of the ninth after an intentional walk to load the bases, Austin Miller hit Hunter Robinson with a pitch causing a walk-off win for ABAC.
Cooper Casteel started for the Cougars allowing six earned runs in four innings on four hits striking out seven and walking two. Colby Schachtner picked up the win for ABAC pitching the final two innings shutting the Cougars out while striking out three with no walks.
For Cleveland State, Goins finished 3-5 on the day with an RBI and a run scored, Evans drove in three runs, Orr batted in two and Dunfee went 2-4 doubling twice, scoring a run and driving in another.
"We had some positives to take into tomorrow's doubleheader," Policastro said.
Cleveland State is back at it tomorrow in a double header hoping to win both to take the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
