Rio Grande, Ohio – The Midway University baseball began their final River States Conference series in their inaugural season on Thursday, April 20, when they traveled to Rio Grande (Ohio) to begin a four-game series.
In both games of the doubleheader, the Eagles' defense committed crucial errors that would lead to runs. In the first game, the RedStorm (26-15-1, 18-6-1 RSC) scored three unearned runs in the first inning en route to the 3-2 win. Then in the second, they scored two unearned runs in the opening frame as they held on for the 2-0 victory.
The Eagles (22-24, 19-10 RSC) will look to put an end to their eight game skid on Friday when the series resumes with another doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. ET.
Game 1: Rio Grande 3, Midway 2
The Eagles got a solid outing from Chase Heslep (Bellingham, Wash.) on the bump, but he didn't get any help from his defense in the first inning. With two outs and a runner at second, the Eagles committed an error that led to three unearned runs giving Rio Grande a 3-0 lead.
Midway would be forced to battle from behind throughout the game. The Eagles came back to score single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the lead to 3-2.
In the fourth, Barrett Croslin (Russellville, Ky.) doubled to open the inning and four batters later he scored when Tyler Jones (Huntington Beach, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice.
Then in the fifth, senior, Hector Quinones played long ball. After a caught stealing and a strikeout in front of him, the Barceloneta, PR native unloaded on the first pitch he saw and sent if over the left field fence for his ninth home run of the season.
The Eagles would have their chances to tie the game in both the sixth and seventh innings, but both times they stranded two base runners. Midway stranded nine runners for the game.
Despite a solid outing on the mound, Heslep (5-3) was dealt with the loss. The junior right-hander allowed three unearned runs on four hits, while fanning four.
Game 2: Rio Grande 2, Midway 0
Just like the first game, the Eagles got another solid outing from James Davenport (Louisville, Ky.), but just like Heslep, Davenport didn't get any help from his defense or his offense.
The RedStorm plated two unearned runs in the first inning and that would be more than enough run support for Rio Grande starter, Trent Downs. Downs didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning when Danny Maguire (Dana Point, Calif.) spoiled the no-hitter with a one-out single.
It looked like the Eagles were putting some late inning magic together in the seventh. Carlos Cespedes (Santo Domingo, D.R.) singled and Maguire doubled to put runners at second and third with one out, but Downs stranded the runners were they stood to seal the 2-0 victory.
Davenport (4-1) took the loss for Midway allowing two unearned runs on four hits in six innings of work on the mound. The junior right-hander also struck out six batters.
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