CLEVELAND STATE CLINCHES SERIES WITH 8-3 WIN AT DYERSBURG STATE
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
Dyersburg, Tenn. – Cleveland State Baseball closed out the series and secured the series victory with an 8–3 win over Dyersburg State on Friday morning, using a dominant second inning and strong pitching to improve to 31–17 overall and 21–6 in conference play.
The Cougars wasted no time setting the tone in the rubber game, scoring six runs in the second inning to seize control early.
Cleveland State opened the scoring when Nate Severance lifted a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Kwade Carver to score. Moments later, Nolan Sergeant delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single to center, bringing home Jordan Smith and Samuel Formby to extend the lead to 3–0.
The inning was capped by a big swing from Evan Leonard, who connected on a three-run home run to right-center, pushing the Cougar advantage to 6–0.
Dyersburg State answered with a run in the fourth and added two more in the sixth to trim the deficit to 6–3, but Cleveland State responded late and never allowed the tying run to reach the plate.
In the seventh inning, Hank Adams added a sacrifice fly to score Formby, and the Cougars put the game away in the eighth when Severance crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make it 8–3.
On the mound, Braden Suggs delivered another standout performance, earning the win to improve to 7–0 on the season. Suggs threw seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out 11. JC Armour closed the door in relief with two shutout innings and four strikeouts.
Offensively, Sergeant led the way with a 3-for-5, two-RBI performance, while Leonard drove in three runs with his home run. Formby added two hits and scored twice as Cleveland State drew seven walks on the day.
"Winning a series on the road in our league is never easy," said Head Coach Aaron Bryant. "Our guys came out locked in early today, got a big inning, and our pitching staff did an outstanding job of finishing it. I'm really proud of the toughness and consistency this group continues to show."
Up Next
Cleveland State returns home next weekend for a championship showdown against Walters State with the regular season title on the line.
Thursday: Doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM
Friday: 9-inning game at Noon
