WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Junior Gregory Day (East Chicago, IN/East Chicago Central) (East Chicago, Ind.) threw a complete-game win to capture his first collegiate victory in helping the Chicago State baseball team to conclude the Russ Matt Invitational with a 4-1 victory over Mid-American Conference foe Akron Saturday at Lake Myrtle Park.
CSU improved its season record to 2-8, while Akron saw its record drop to 3-14 on the year.
The Green and White captured a 1-0 lead in the first inning when junior Jonathon Carpen (Whiting, Ind.) lined an RBI fielder's choice with the bases loaded that plated junior Albert Carpen (Whiting, IN/Clark) (Whiting, Ind.).
CSU added three more runs in the fifth inning to hike its leading margin to 4-0 that included a two-RBI single from senior Miguel Camacho (Chicago, IL/Oakton CC) (Chicago, Ill.) and an RBI single by junior Jeremy Rataczyk (Highland, Ind.).
Akron did not score until the ninth inning when Brandon Winter lined a two-out, RBI double to right center that scored Tyler Begun from second base, but Day forced the final out on an infield line out for the final margin.
Albert and Michael Carpen (Whiting, IN/Clark) each hit 2-of-5 at the plate to lead Chicago State with Michael scoring a pair of runs. Day (1-1) captured the win after allowing one run on seven hits in a career-best nine innings thrown while striking out two batters and walking four.
Winter led Akron on the offensive end by going 3-of-4 with a double and drove in a run, while freshman Jon Pusateri (0-1) gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work in addition to striking out four batters.
The Green and White return to action Tuesday afternoon at Eastern Illinois with a start time of 2 p.m.
~CSU~
