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CHICAGO, Ill. – On a day that saw every Chicago State starter get at least one hit, CSU mashed out season-high's with 19 runs and 22 hits, as the Cougars held on to win a 19-17 slugfest over Lewis University, Thursday afternoon at Brooks Memorial Field.
The victory improves Chicago States record to 5-33, while the Flyers fall to 16-22 on the season.
Chicago State wasted little time getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning as
Michael Carpen (Whiting, IN/Clark) was hit-by-pitch leading off the game,
Lacelle McKinley (Gary, IN/Calumet College) reached on a bunt single, and both were brought in on a three-run blast by senior first basemen
Matt Haug (Plymouth,IN/Ancilla CC). The Cougars added another run on a RBI single by
Preston Pires (Waipahu, HI/Kalani HS) bringing home
Jordan Haas (Omaha, NE/Peru State CC) who doubled earlier, giving CSU an early 4-0 lead.
Lewis University responded in the top of the second frame by playing small ball, scoring five runs on six singles, helping the Flyers take a 5-4 lead.
CSU's
Josh Appelbaum (Chicago, IL/Florida Gulf Coast) connected on his team-leading ninth homerun of the season in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 5-5.
The Cougars broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, as CSU rallied to score four runs with two-outs to take a 9-5 lead, highlighted by a mammoth two-run homerun to centerfield by senior
Jonathan Wilson (Vallejo, CA/Napa Valley CC), his seventh of the season.
The slugfest continued as the Flyers scored six runs in their half of the fifth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Mike Smith, helping LU regain the lead, 11-9.
Chicago State would respond in the bottom of the fifth frame, as
Kellon McFarlin (Chicago, IL/Meramec CC) doubled home
Ryne Malonzo (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech HS) who doubled leading off the inning, McFarlin would score on an RBI single through the right-side by Carpen, tying the score at 11-11.
Lewis took the lead 12-11, on an RBI single by Joe Carbone that plated Brian Clancy who reached on a bunt single.
The see-saw battle continued, and LU's lead would be short-lived as CSU would retake the lead 13-12, on a bases loaded single by McFarlin.
The Cougars would blow the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring six runs to take a commanding 19-12 lead, the crushing blow coming on a two RBI triple by Malonzo, who finished only a homerun shy of the cycle.
The Flyers would try to mount a comeback, scoring four runs in the eight and another in ninth, but it proved not to be enough as CSU held on for the 19-17 victory.
Malonzo and McFarlin led the way at the plate for Chicago State, each going 4-for-5. Appelbaum, Haug and Wilson each homered for the Cougars.
CSU's
William Lawrence (Harvey, IL/Thornwood HS) (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, while LU's Mike Vucsko (0-1) took the loss for Lewis.
Chicago State starter turned closer,
Chris Freshour (Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) picked up his second save in as many opportunities.
The Cougars return to the diamond tomorrow, as they travel to Peoria, Illinois to take on the Braves of Bradley University in a double-header at 2 p.m.
