Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Returning to its 2020 trademark of the comeback kids, the Belmont University baseball team completed the come-from-behind win in game two of Friday's doubleheader at Austin Peay 3-2 following a 13-8 defeat in game one at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Freshman Brodey Heaton drove in the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning in game two after collecting a career-high three RBIs in game one. Junior Kyle Brennan picked up his first win of the season, pitching the final 1.1 innings in game two with a pair of strikeouts.
"(Game two) was such an important win for us, no doubt about it," head coach Dave Jarvis. "We knew what the job was in front of us. To our kids' credit, they did a tremendous job at the plate. What a great closeout by Kyle Brennan and our defense. It's just a really good win in a clutch situation."
Game 1
Belmont quickly got two runners on base with one out following a walk and an Austin Peay fielding error in the top of the first inning, scoring the game's first run off an RBI double from junior Logan Jarvis. A sacrifice fly from Heaton drove in sophomore John Behrends from third base and gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
Austin Peay, however, responded with a four-run outing in the bottom of the first inning. A leadoff single allowed the Governors to score a run off an RBI double, with a two-run home run in the next at-bat giving Austin Peay a 3-2 advantage. Following a walk and a single, the Governors hit a sacrifice fly that extended their lead 4-2.
The Bruins answered back with a leadoff double and single to put runners at the corners in the top of the second inning, with a sacrifice fly from freshman Kevin Okins allowing Belmont to score a run. A walk followed by two singles returned the lead to the Bruins and an RBI single from Heaton put Belmont ahead 6-4.
Collecting a leadoff walk and stolen base to open the bottom of the second inning, Austin Peay chipped away at Belmont's lead with a single through the left side of the field that allowed a run to score for the Governors. Austin Peay took the lead later in the inning thanks to two sacrifice flies and a wild pitch.
Freshman Jack Rando helped the offensive momentum continue for the Bruins in the top of the third inning, snagging an RBI single to score Okins from third base. Drawing the bases loaded, Heaton drove in his third run of the game by collecting a bases loaded walk to tie the score 8-8.
The Bruins scored in each of the first three innings in game one on Friday, marking the first time since March 24, 2019 that Belmont has had at least one run in each of the first three innings of play in a game.
Two shutout innings kept the score tied before Austin Peay jumped out in front in the bottom of the sixth inning, with a sacrifice fly and a two-RBI double putting the Governors ahead 11-8. A pair of walks in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed the Austin Peay runners to advance in scoring position after a sacrifice bunt, scoring off an RBI single that capped the Governors' lead 13-8.
Game Two
Sophomore Carson Shacklett got Belmont started in the top of the first inning in game two with a leadoff double, scoring after a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to give Belmont the opening lead. After forcing two scoreless innings, Austin Peay got on the board in the bottom of the third inning.
A bunt single, a Belmont throwing error and a wild pitch allowed the Governors to get a runner on third base, with a double down the first base line tying the game at one run each. Austin Peay took the 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning, hitting a two-out, solo home run to left center field in the bottom of the fourth inning.
"We were calm in our moment," Heaton said. "We've been there before. We didn't stress at all...That's what we did last year and we'll do it again this year."
With one out in the top of the ninth, Behrends hit a double to center field to put the tying run in scoring position. Jarvis hit a single through the right side of the field to tie the score 2-2, with Heaton's single giving Belmont the 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.
After forcing a groundout to the shortstop, Brennan struck out the final two batters to complete the comeback for the Bruins.
"When they go ahead and take the lead, it honestly relieves pressure off me," Brennan said. "I feel like, 'Hey, they have my back. Let me have theirs.'"
Belmont (7-11, 4-4) wraps up the series with Austin Peay on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Clarksville.
