The CCU Cougar baseball team started the 2019 season in dominating fashion, defeating the Tigers of East Central Oklahoma University 9-3 in their opening game of the Alpine Fresh 4~Him Classic in Cleaburne, TX. It was the second year in a row that the Cougars started off in such a positive fashion.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The story early on was pitching. The two teams combined for 17 strikeouts in the first six innings. Each team scored once during that stretch, with the Tigers taking a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first, and the Cougars answering in the bottom of the 5th inning to tie it at one a piece. Senior Evan Fink began the night on the bump for the Cougars and orchestrated a masterful 5.2 innings using only 89 pitches.
The game truly opened up in the 7th inning when the Tigers tacked on a second run to temporarily take a 2-1 lead, but the Cougar onslaught began. In the bottom of the inning CCU loaded the bases with one out to set the table for newly tabbed first baseman Heath Hays. In 2018, Heath was utilized sparingly as a relief pitcher, but this year he's made what seemed to possibly be a temporary shift to first amid injuries, but tonight's performance may have changed things. At this point, Heath was looking for his third hit of the night after hitting a double in the 3rd and a single in the 5th. Another single from Heath drove in two runs and gave them a 4-2 lead.
The Cougars would rattle off another five runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, a run that Hays again assisted with by notching a steal and scoring from second on a single. Junior closer Jarrod Rivera came in for two innings of work, enough time to earn the save on the night, striking out three, allowing three hits and allowing a single run.
NOTEABLE STAT LINES:
Heath Hays: 3-4, 2B, Run, 4 RBI, SB
Scotty Ingle: 2-4, 2 Runs
Drew Kennedy: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Evan Fink: 5.2 IP, 5 Hits, Run, Earned Run, 3 BB, 6 K
Tyler Fischer: 1.1 IP, W, Run, Earner Run, BB, 3 K
Jarrod Rivera: 2.0 IP, Save, 3 Hits, Run, Earned Run, 2 BB, 3 K
QUOTES:
"I was talking with coach after I got the second hit and he asked me what was up because I kind of just got thrown in there since we have a couple guys injured. I was ready but I didn't really expect it go to like that, but it was definitely good and I was happy to contribute so much." Heath Hays on his first start at first base.
"It's huge, especially since the game was so close for so long. Being able to battle against a good pitcher, he had a lot of our guys off, but we hung in there and got a couple hits, Scott getting on was big, then my hits, and Drew getting us rolling was huge. A lot of fun for sure!" Heath Hays on what pulling away with a big win after a close game for so long.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars play a pair of games on Friday, the first at 10:00 a.m. at Corbett Field in Fort Worth, TX, against the Eagles from the University of Texas – Permian Basin, followed by the nightcap game back at The Depot Stadium in Cleburne, TX, at 7:30 p.m. against the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
