MIDWAY, Ky. -- The Midway University baseball team opened their final River States Conference series of the season on Friday, April 27, when they hosted Indiana University Southeast for a doubleheader at Chandler Field to begin the three-game series.
Trailing 9-5 in the opener, the Eagles (24-21, 15-10 RSC) scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the opener by a final score of 10-9.
The nightcap was only scheduled to go seven innings, but fans would get free baseball after the game was tied at 1-1 after seven frames. The Grenadiers (36-10, 22-4 RSC) – who are receiving votes in the NAIA Baseball Top 25 – scored three runs in the top of the ninth to win 4-1.
The two teams will wrap up their series on Saturday with a single-nine inning game beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. It will also serve as Senior Day for Midway's nine seniors as they will be recognized before the game.
Game 1 – Midway 10, IU Southeast 9
Midway held a 5-1 lead after seven complete innings, but things would change in the top of the eighth inning. In the top of the eighth, the Grenadiers brought 12 batters to the plate scoring eight runs on four hits, while the Midway committed four errors as IU Southeast grabbed the 9-5 lead.
The late game deficit isn't something new for the Eagles as they have come from behind late in games plenty of times this season. After the Grenadiers scored eight in the top of the eighth, Midway responded with five runs on three hits to regain the 10-9 lead.
Will Broady (Greenville, Ky.) singled, while Layne Peavler (Harrodsburg, Ky.) and Kurt Paldino (Overland Park, Kans.) walked to load the bases with one out as Barrett Croslin (Russellville, Ky.) stepped to the plate. The senior laced a single to left to score Broady and Peavler.
After a pitching change, Koy Lindsey (Sonora, Ky.) stepped to the plate. Lindsey, who was already 4-for-4 on the day entering the at bat, but following the at bat, he was a perfect 5-for-5.
With the count in his favor at 2-0, the junior got a fastball over the heart of the plate and he didn't miss. He crushed it sending it over the left field fence for a three-run home run to give his team the 10-9 lead.
With the 10-9 lead, Luther Bramblett, brought in closer Barrett Croslin to close the door in the top of the ninth. The senior did just that as he struck out the side to seal the 10-9 victory and his sixth save of the season.
Senior, Conner Lindsay (Nicholasville, Ky.) picked up the win. He allowed five unearned runs on three hits in one inning. Noah Marion (Louisville, Ky.) started the game and gave the Eagles five strong inning. He allowed one unearned run on one hit. Anibal Salado (Santo Domingo, D.R.) pitched two innings allowing three unearned runs on one hit.
Koy Lindsey led the offensive attack going 5-for-5 with a three-run home run, two doubles, six RBI's and two runs scored. Barrett Croslin added two RBI's and two runs, while Layne Peavler accounted for Midway's other RBI.
Game 2 – IU Southeast 4, Midway 1
Senior, Carlos Cespedes (Santo Domingo, D.R.) got the starting nod for the Eagles as he pitched four innings. He allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts. He allowed the run in the fourth, but got some help from his offense in the bottom of the fourth.
Danny Maguire (Dana Point, Calif.) singled to open the inning and after back-to-back ground outs, he moved to third with Koy Lindsey stepping to the dish. Lindsey ripped a single to right field to score Maguire and tie the game at 1-1.
Replacing Cespedes to start the fifth was sophomore, Cameron McAnally. The Owenton, Ky. came out of the bullpen and was dealing from the get go. He struck out the side in the fifth as his first four innings went by without allowing a run.
Midway had a golden chance to win it in the bottom of the eighth inning, when they had two on and nobody out, but the runner on second got picked off as IU Southeast got out of the jam.
Unfortunately for McAnally, he ran into trouble in the ninth as he allowed three runs – two earned – on two hits. IU Southeast got a scoreless bottom of the ninth to seal the 4-1 victory.
Danny Maguire led the offensive attack going 2-for-4 with a run. Koy Lindsey and Kurt Paldino accounted for Midway's remaining two hits, while Lindsey recorded an RBI.
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