COUGARS DROP OPENING CONFERENCE GAME
HARRIMAN, Tenn. – Friday marked Cleveland State’s first conference game of the season, but unfortunately for the Cougars, it didn’t result in a win.
HARRIMAN, Tenn. – Friday marked Cleveland State's first conference game of the season, but unfortunately for the Cougars, it didn't result in a win.
Cleveland State (8-3, 0-1) was dealt an 8-5 loss at Roane State (11-7, 1-0), but will have the chance to bounce back on Saturday at 12 and 2 p.m.
"We did not play very well defensively and spotted them six unearned runs in the fourth inning," Cougar head coach Mike Policastro said.
"Hooper Mills pitched really well, especially after getting down, and gave us a chance to get back in the game. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow and get back to playing our brand of baseball and find a way to get back in the series."
Those six unearned runs left Roane State up 6-0 after four innings.
Cleveland State picked up a run in the fifth and sixth innings and then cut their host's lead to just one run after scoring three more in the top of the seventh.
Down only 6-5, the Cougars were unable to hold the Raiders back, as they scored their final two runs of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Cleveland State had nine hits in the game, while Roane State had eight.
John Sharpe went 2-for-5 at the plate, which included a home run and a double. He also had two RBI. Hagan Kennedy was 1-for-3, with his one hit being a home run. Trent Elliot was 2-for-3, with a double and one RBI. Jordan Ransom also had a RBI in the game.
Mills pitched 7.1 innings, striking out 10 Raider batters and giving up only two earned runs and seven hits.
