CLEVELAND STATE BASEBALL SPLITS FRIDAY DOUBLEHEADER; SERGEANT’S WALK-OFF CAPS STUNNING RALLY IN GAME 2
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 0 |
|
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0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 18 | 1 |
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Cleveland State Community College split Friday's doubleheader at Cougar Field, dropping a tight 10–9 decision in Game 1 before storming back from an early eight‑run deficit to win 13–10 on a dramatic walk‑off in Game 2. The Cougars now sit at 24–11 (16–4 TCCAA) heading into Saturday's noon series finale.
The opener showcased plenty of offense from the Cougars, highlighted by three home runs. Jon Jon Read led the charge, going 2‑for‑2 with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored, and a sacrifice fly. Evan Leonard launched a three‑run home run, and Samuel Formby added a two‑run shot as part of a multi‑hit performance. Cleveland State also received key contributions from Kwade Carver, Riley Mahan, Jordan Smith, and Nate Severance, who doubled and scored twice. A three‑run push in the seventh brought the Cougars within one, but they ultimately fell 10–9.
Game 2 began as a completely different story—and not in Cleveland State's favor. Southwest Tennessee jumped out to a 10–2 lead, controlling the first half of the game while the Cougars worked to find momentum. Slowly, though, Cleveland State's offense began to mount a response. Nelson McKnight ignited the comeback, going a perfect 4‑for‑4 with two home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored. Kwade Carver followed with a three‑hit performance that included a home run and three RBI. Jon Jon Read, Samuel Formby, and Nate Severance all added multi-hit games, while Evan Leonard, Hank Adams, and Jordan Smith chipped in key at‑bats as the Cougars clawed their way back into the contest.
On the mound, Parker Coe struck out seven through three innings before JC Armour entered and threw three steady, scoreboard‑controlling frames that allowed the offense time to chip away. Torrey Robinson pitched the top of the seventh to keep the game tied and set up the dramatic finish.
With two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh, Nolan Sergeant stepped in with the game on the line. Already productive earlier in the afternoon, Sergeant delivered the swing that defined the day, smashing a three‑run walk‑off home run over the right‑field wall, sending Cougar Field into a frenzy. Teammates stormed out of the dugout as Sergeant rounded third, sealing one of the most dramatic comebacks of Cleveland State's season.
After the emotional victory, Head Coach Aaron Bryant praised the team's resilience. 'We didn't start well in Game 2, but our guys just kept competing. A lot of players stepped up as the game went on, and Nolan finished it in a big moment. I'm proud of how we responded after the first game, and we're looking forward to getting back out here on Saturday.'
Cleveland State and Southwest Tennessee conclude the series Saturday at noon, with the Cougars carrying momentum from their comeback victory into the finale.
