MOBILE, Ala. -- The Midway University baseball team took to the diamond for the first time this season on Friday when they split their opening doubleheader with the University of Mobile at Jacobs Field in Mobile, Alabama on Friday afternoon.
The Eagles suffered a tough 8-4 loss in the opener, but they battled back in game two. The Rams – who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches Top 25 – forced extra innings with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the visitors scored the game-winning run in the top of the eighth en route to the 3-2 win in extra innings.
The win in game two for Luther Bramblett's squad is the first-ever victory over Mobile in program history. The Eagles will look to close the four-game series on a high note with another twinbill on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
Game 1 – Mobile 8, Midway 4
The Eagles got off to a strong start in the opener after grabbing an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Junior, Tyson Orr (Nashville, Tenn.) got the Eagles on the board hitting a solo shot with one out in the inning. Kurt Paldino (Overland Park, Kans.) nearly hit a solo shot two batters later, but his hit bounced off the top of the wall and went for a double.
Junior left-hander, Anibal Salado (Santo Domingo, D.R.) allowed a base runner in the opening frame but got out of it with a strikeout. Salado ran into trouble in the second, third and fourth innings where he allowed three of the five runs, the other two were unearned.
Trailing 5-1, the Eagles needed to get their offense going. They got the spark from their returning top bat from last year, Graeham Luttor. A walk to Francis Mejia (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and a base hit from Layne Peavler (Harrodsburg, Ky.) put two runners on for the sophomore.
Luttor, a sophomore from Toronto, Canada, sent a jolt through the Midway dugout with a three-run home run – his first of the season – over the left field fence.
The Eagles were unable to use the momentum as they got just one base runner over the final two innings, while Mobile added three runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to the 8-4 victory.
Salado took the loss for the Eagles allowing three runs on five hits in three innings of work. He also fanned four. Garrett Dolinch (Dickson, Tenn.) allowed two unearned runs in two innings of work, while Noah Marion (Nicholasville, Ky.) allowed three runs in his one inning on the bump.
Game 2 – Midway 3, Mobile 2
The Eagles were unable to get their offense going until the fifth inning, but the Rams' offense was quieted thanks to Gus Garrison. The junior from Cynthiana, Ky. cruised through the first four innings allowing just one hit after taking a no-hitting into the fourth inning.
Garrison got some help from his offense in the fifth with a run on two hits. Tyrin Orr (Nashville, Tenn.) singled to open the frame and then he stole second and moved to third on a base knock by Layne Peavler. The junior then scored on a sacrifice fly from Francis Mejia.
With a 1-0 lead, Garrison got a 1-2-3 fifth inning and exited the game in line for the win after allowing just one hit in his five innings. Garrison got another run from his offense in the seventh.
Peavler worked a one-out walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mejia then stepped to the plate and delivered a one-out single scoring Peavler from second pushing Midway's lead to 2-0 needing just three outs for the win.
The Rams spoiled Midway's first upset bid after they scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. The Eagles, however, responded with a run in the top of the eighth regaining the 3-2 lead.
After two quick outs, Jonathan Hook stepped to the dish and delivered for his team. The junior from Tamarac, Fla. ripped the first pitch he saw and sent it over the left field fence for a solo home run – his first of the season.
Senior closer, Zach Lampreia, then shut the door on the Rams in the bottom of the eighth. The senior from Toronto, Canada got a 1-2-3 inning with three fly outs to seal the 3-2 victory.
Lampreia took home the win after not allowing a base runner in 1-2/3 innings. Gus Garrison was unfortunately dealt with the no decision. He fanned 10 allowing just one hit in five innings of work. Andy Melgoza (Oxnard, Calif.) allowing two runs with five walks in 1-1/3 innings.
Mejia had one hit and two RBI's while Hook had the other on the solo home run. Both Peavler and Noah Marion had two hits in the win. The Eagles finished with eight hits to just one from the Rams.
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