Jaci Kohn
Staff writer
The Breds’ finished out the series against the UT Martin Skyhawks with a 7–0 shutout Saturday.
Coach Rob McDonald said he thought his team played well the whole weekend.
“We came up short the one game, but the guys showed up ready to play,” McDonald said. “I thought in all phases of the game we did a pretty good job.”
All the Breds’ runs came in the sixth inning starting with a home run to left field from senior Travis Isaak which ran in sophomore Ty Stetson. Junior Mike Kozlowski followed with a double to left center and then scored on a wild pitch to freshman Luke Daugherty.
Daugherty went to first on a grounder and then took second after a sacrifice bunt from junior Brandon Elliott. Junior Dylan Wheeler then hit a single up the middle to bring home Daugherty. Wheeler stole second and then was run in by a single from freshman Rick Linton.
Junior Paul Ritzheimer and Stetson both delivered walks with loaded the bases. Isaak then responded with a two-run double before the inning ended.
McDonald was pleased with the pitching but not as thrilled with the offense.
“We scored all our runs in one inning and that was great,” McDonald said. “We did a good job, but the rest of the time we weren’t as great as we should have been.”
Senior starting pitcher Bryan Babin earned the win pitching a shut out in during seven innings of work. Babin only allowed five hits during the innings he pitched. Junior Will Handlin Finished the game only allowing two hits in two innings pitched.
Babin said they came out ready to play and knew they had to win the series.
“[We stayed] focused with each pitch and each inning,” Babin said. “We were able to stay on it and whenever our big inning came, we took advantage of it.”
Isaak lead the offense going 2-4 and recording a home run. Isaak earned his 19th double of the season, which he is leading the NCAA in, and four RBIs. Linton and Wheeler added two hits each.
The Breds’ next home game is Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Evansville.