The Charger baseball took an 8-4 victory over Abraham Baldwin in the opening round of the NAIA National Baseball Tournament Monday evening in Lakeland, Florida.
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The Cliff struck first in the top of the first inning, following back-to-back singles from
Jake Chronic and
Diego Trujillo to put a runner in scoring position. A one-run single from
Nico Sall carded the contest's first game.
Cade Marquardt was able to put the ball in play and drove in Trujillo to give BCU a 2-0 lead. The Chargers capitalized on an error by the Stallions allowed the Chargers to tack on another run.
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In the top of the fifth Sall's solo shot over the right field wall gave BCU a 4-0 lead. The Stallions responded in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs including a three-run blast to tie the game.
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A tie game heading into the ninth, Marquardt led off the inning with a double.
Caleb St. Cyr pinch ran for Marquardt and advance to third on a wild pitch. With one out
Cam Riemer drew a walk and stole second during the next at-bat. With two outs, a ground ball to second turned into an error by the Stallions and the Chargers carded two runs to take a two-run lead.
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Rance Bryant followed it up with a RBI double alongside Chronic's RBI double to extend the lead to 8-4.
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Johnny Reed on the mound in the ninth retired the side in order and earned the win on the mound for the Chargers.
Nick Hays got the start on the hill, tossing 6.2 innings and recorded six strikeouts while allowing just three earned runs on six hits.
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Bryant, Chronic, Trujillo, and Marquardt all tied for a team-high three hits in the contest.
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The Chargers improve to 29-22 overall and will take on the top-seeded Southeastern University Fire (FL) tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. CST
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