COUGARS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER AND WIN SERIES AT MOTLOW STATE
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 19 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — Cleveland State Community College split a doubleheader at Motlow State on Friday afternoon at Driver Baseball Field, falling 6–5 in the opener before bouncing back with a dominant 21–5 victory in Game Two.
Game One: Motlow State 6, Cleveland State 5
The opener featured a tightly contested battle, with Motlow State scoring five runs in the sixth inning to edge Cleveland State, 6–5.
The Cougars finished with nine hits and powered four home runs in the game. Nolan Sergeant, Nelson McKnight, Kwade Carver, and Jon Jon Read all homered for Cleveland State. Sergeant went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, while McKnight drove in two runs. Evan Leonard, Carver, and Read each crossed the plate, and Nate Severance doubled and reached base twice.
On the mound, Braden Suggs delivered a strong start, striking out seven over 5.2 innings of work. Evan Cope followed in relief.
Despite the late rally by Motlow, Head Coach Aaron Bryant pointed to the competitiveness shown by his club.
"I really liked our energy and competitiveness today," Bryant said. "We swung the bats extremely well in the second game and competed pitch-for-pitch in the first. We had contributions all over the lineup, and this group continues to show growth as we move deeper into conference play."
Game Two: Cleveland State 21, Motlow State 5
Cleveland State responded in a big way in the nightcap, exploding for 15 runs over the first two innings and rolling to a 21–5 win to close out the doubleheader.
The Cougars piled up 19 hits and received production throughout the lineup. Jon Jon Read went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Nolan Sergeant reached base four times, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, home run, four RBIs, and two walks. Evan Leonard drove in four runs on two hits, including a home run.
Nelson McKnight added a two-hit, three-RBI performance with a double and a home run, and Kwade Carver delivered one of the day's biggest performances, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Nate Severance contributed two hits, a home run, two RBIs, and a stolen base, while Jordan Smith drove in two runs behind the plate.
Additional offensive contributions came from Hank Adams, Riley Mahan, and Owen Phillips as Cleveland State scored in four different innings and forced Motlow State to use four pitchers.
On the mound, Parker Coe earned the win to improve to 3–0 on the season, striking out five over three innings. JC Armour closed out the victory in relief.
Cleveland State finished the day 17–7 overall and 10–2 in conference play.
The Cougars return to action next weekend with a road series at Jackson State.
