Cougars Come Up An Out Short In 2-1 (11 inn.) Loss At Grand Canyon

Junior Eric Hall allowed just one run but earned a no decision after an 8.2 inning effort.

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PHOENIX, Ariz. - Chicago State baseball was an out away from earning their first Western Athletic Conference victory in school history on Friday (March 28) at Grand Canyon. However the Antelopes rallied for a run in the ninth and then one in the 11th to edge the Cougars 2-1. It was Chicago State's third extra inning contest in four games.

Chicago State took a 1-0 lead in the fifth with a two-out RBI single by junior Evan Davis (Sterling, Ill./Sterling). His single scored senior Nathan Poff (Sellersburg, Ind./New Albany) from third base.

Junior Eric Hall (Oakville, ONT/Oakville Trafalgar) retired 10 straight 'Lopes before Matt Haggerty started the ninth inning with a single to left field. He was at third with two outs when Garrett Jeffries singled to tie the game.

Hall finished with a line of one run, six hits and one walk over 8.2 innings.

In the 11th, sophomore Julian Russell (Chicago, Ill./Gordon Tech) opened the frame for CSU with a single but was out a batter later on a double play. Davis followed with a single, but was stranded at first. In the 'Lopes' 11th, Haggerty earned first base due to a CSU error. He then went to second on another CSU error. Haggerty then came home on a game-winning RBI double by Michael Pomeroy.

"We've had a couple of these where we needed just one more out," Chicago State head coach Steve Joslyn said. "Credit Grand Canyon, they lined a ball up the middle to tie it up. Eric was outstanding today. Tonight was a Friday game in any league, with good pitching and good play all night. We just left too many guys out there. We have to find a way to knock those in."

Junior Nick Kostalek (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) (2-1) earned the loss for CSU. Malcolm Purdy (1-1) picked up the win for GCU.

Davis and Poff each recorded two hits for CSU. The Cougars left 14 men on base.

Grand Canyon is now 12-11 (3-1 WAC). Chicago State falls to 9-11 (0-1 WAC). The two clubs will continue their three game series on Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. PT start on Saturday. Ean McNeal (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) will be on the mound for the Cougars.

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