The Briar Cliff baseball team pushed their record to 9-3 as they bested LSU Alexandria 1-0 in a classic pitchers' duel. Brett Sitzmann recorded his first complete-game shutout of the season.
 
"That was a great collegiate baseball game", said head coach Corby McGlauflin. "We made big plays defensively when we had to and Brett [Sitzmann] was incredible. We have to find ways to be more consistent offensively, but great start to the trip, nonetheless."
 
The Chargers are now on a five-game winning streak.
 
Game 1 – W, 1-0
The Chargers found one of their two hits early in the first inning as Connor Lange roped a single past the shortstop. Lange then stole second and was followed by a Quentin Evers walk. BC was unable to capitalize with a runner in scoring position.
 
Sitzmann found his groove early, striking out two in the bottom of the first keeping game scoreless.
 
After two more scoreless innings, the Generals scavenged some momentum in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk and two singles, Sitzmann and the Charger defense held strong. Sitzmann collected a strikeout as Devon Farrell forced a runner out at home and Jake Allen caught a runner stealing.
 
The Charger offense struggled to find momentum, but the Cliff's defense continued to shine, stranding five General runners on base in the next two at-bats.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, the Chargers showed their discipline at the plate. With two outs, Cam Riemer and Lange both found walks with Evers due up. Evers reached first on a costly General error, with Riemer scoring on the play. The Chargers handled a 1-0 lead heading into the final three at-bats of the game.
 
BC's offense stranded on runner in the seventh after an opening single by Jake Chronic. However, Sitzmann buckled down, striking out two and forcing a ground out to end the game 1-0.
 
Sitzmann earned the win on the mean with his first complete-game shutout of the season. Sitzmann went 7.0 innings, allowing four hits and no runs, while striking out eight. He recorded six innings with at least one strikeout.
 
Lange and Chronic were the only batters to tally hits for the Chargers, both being singles.
 
Briar Cliff matched LSU Alexandria in at-bats (24), strikeouts (8) and runners left on base (5). Each team committed only one error, but the Chargers were able to capitalize on the lone General mistake.
 
The Charger baseball team returns to action tomorrow afternoon as they rematch with LSU Alexandria in a doubleheader in Alexandria, Louisiana. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.