PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Chicago State baseball team opened up the Snowbird Classic with a tough 2-0 loss to Omaha on Friday afternoon. The Cougars were led by
Richard Paulino (San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic) who was 2-of-3 from the plate.
The Mavericks, the designated visitors, open the scoring in the first inning. With two outs, the Mavericks got back-to-back doubles from Eckhout and Smejkal to take the early lead. The Cougars were able to keep the Mavericks at bay through the sixth inning but couldn't get anything going from the plate.
The Cougars looked like they might strike in the fourth. With two outs,
Dalton Daily (Visalia, California/) singled to the shortstop to give Chicago State a baserunner. Paulino followed with a single to right center to put Daily in scoring position before the inning ended on a flyout.
Omaha almost added to their lead in the fifth inning but a double play from
Judah Wilbur (Denver, Colorado/) at shortstop to
Josue Ortiz (Carolina, Puerto Rico/) at first ended the threat.
The Mavericks added a run in the six after loading the bases back-to-back singles and a fielders choice. The Cougars put one away with a play from shortstop to second but not before Omaha scored on a Cougar fielding error.
Chicago State again had a chance to produce some two-out magic in the sixth inning. Paulino singled up the middle to give the Cougars a baserunner and Reggie Brock reached on an error placing the Cougars in scoring position but the inning ended as
Christian Kuzemka (St. Charles, Illinois/) struck out. That would be the last time the Cougars had runners on base as the Cougars couldn't get anyone on the rest of the way.
Dylan Cumming (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) threw 8.0 innings of work with seven strikeouts in the contest.
Up Next
The Cougars will continue action at the Snowbird Classic with a doubleheader beginning at 12 pm with the Big Green from Dartmouth College.
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