Cleveland State lost their conference opening series, although picked up a win in game three.
The Cougars (13-6, 1-2) dropped two close games in their double header Saturday against Southwest Tennessee (10-12, 2-1), then won game three with a complete game shutout by Andrew Kribbs on Sunday.
Game One
Cleveland State struck first in the bottom half of the first scoring the series first run. Then in the third inning both team's offenses blew up with the Saluqis scoring six runs in the top half of the inning and the Cougars plating eight runs in the bottom half. Southwest Tennessee chipped away at the lead scoring one in the fourth, fifth and seventh to send the game into extra innings, then scored two in the ninth to take the lead. Cleveland State was unable to score another run after their eight run third inning.
Kain Collins hit a two-run homerun in the third going 3-5 on the game scoring three times. Dylan Owens doubled and drove in two while also scoring a run. The Cougars struggled defensively committing five errors in the game.
Game Two
Game two of the series was the played as the second half of a double header and turned more into a pitcher's duel with the Chargers coming out on top 3-2.
Austin Breedlove (3-1) lost his first game of the season pitching a complete game four hitter allowing three earned runs while striking out 12 and walking two.
Southwest Tennessee scored first in the top of the third on a two-run homerun off the bat of leadoff man Logan Luckett. Cleveland State responded in the bottom of the fourth tying the game on a Brayden Evans double driving in Brock Harvey and Nate Dunfee. The Chargers went ahead in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch that scored a run. The Cougars were unable to put another run on the board the rest of the way.
Game Three
Cleveland State ended it early in game three to pick up their first conference game win on the season.
Andrew Kribbs (3-1) pitched a complete game shutout allowing three hits while striking out 11 and walking none.
The Cougars scored first in the bottom of the first, plated another three in the bottom of the third and added another four in the bottom of the sixth. The game ended in the top of the seventh by way of the eight-run rule with an impressive defensive play by shortstop Hunter Ryan on a ball hit in the hole between short and third where he dove and made the throw across the diamond to first base.
Ty Nettles drove in a game high three runs going 2-4 while Jacob Cooper went 2-3 scoring a run and doubling and Owens also doubling scoring twice.
Next up for the Cougars is a non-conference game tomorrow at Georgia Highlands (22-2). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
