CHICAGO – Chicago State used a good pitching effort from sophomore Gregory Day (East Chicago, IN/East Chicago Central) (East Chicago, Ind.) and some timely hitting to capture a 4-3 victory over visiting Texas-Pan American Friday afternoon in a Great West Conference baseball contest at Olive-Harvey College. The Cougars improved their season record to 4-42 (2-19), while the Broncs fell to 15-30 (4-16).
Day posted three strikeouts over seven and two-thirds innings thrown in one of his best outings of the season in addition to holding the Broncs scoreless over his final two-plus innings of work.
The home team took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when senior Kellon McFarlin (Chicago, IL/Meramec CC) (Chicago, Ill.) connected on a leadoff single and advanced to third on a throwing error before crossing home plate on an RBI groundout by freshman Christian Prince (Hudsonville, MI/Hudsonville) (Hudsonville, Mich.).
UTPA evened the score in the top of the second after junior Stuart MacInnes scored from third on a throwing error after reaching base via a one-out double to left field. However, the Cougars regained a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the second after junior Billy Les (Oak Lawn, IL/South Suburban College) (Oak Lawn, Ill.) lined an RBI single to right field which brought home senior Austin McDowell (Coal City, IL/Olney Central College) (Coal City, Ill.) from third base after he opened the inning with a single.
Freshman Angel Ibanez blasted a solo home run to right field in the third inning which helped the Broncs tie the score at 2-2 and it captured its first lead of the game in the fourth inning at 3-2 thanks to an RBI double from senior Billy Donaho that scored MacInnes from second.
The Cougars bounced back to even the score at 3-3 in the seventh inning thanks to an RBI fielder's choice from McFarlin which plated senior Kevin Hussey (Pickering, ON/Olney Central College) (Pickerington, Ont.) from third base. Hussey started the rally with a leadoff double to left center and advanced to third on a bunt single from redshirt sophomore Albert Carpen (Whiting, IN/Clark) (Whiting, Ind.) on the next play.
After Day and McDowell held off a big scoring threat from the visitors in the top of the eighth, sophomore William Hill (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South) (Wheaton, Ill.) started the bottom half of the inning with a single to center field before scoring two plays later on a two-out RBI infield single from Les for the game-winning run. McDowell came back in the ninth inning to shut down any scoring chances for the Broncs and seal the victory for the Cougars.
Les went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs to lead Chicago State's 11-hit offensive output on the day. McFarlin and McDowell each added two hits and scored a run, while McDowell (1-8) captured his first collegiate victory by recording a strikeout in one and one-third innings of relief.
Texas-Pan American was led by MacInnes' 2-for-3 effort that included scoring two runs, while senior Scott Wingo (2-2) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on 11 hits in eight innings thrown that also saw him record four strikeouts.
Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. There will be broadcast of the doubleheader on www.gocsucougars.com starting at 1 p.m. and click on the link “CSU Baseball Radio” located on the left side of the CSU Athletics main website.
~CSU~
