LEBANON, Tenn. – The IU Southeast baseball team used the long ball and great pitching to sweep a doubleheader from top-ranked Cumberland University on Saturday.
"I'm really proud of the way our team responded in a hostile environment on the road," IU Southeast head coach Ben Reel said. "If we can trust our stuff and get ahead [in the count] we are going to be hard to beat this season. Pitching and defense win championships and that's what we have to do day in and day out."
In game one, a pitching duel between the Grenadiers and Bulldogs went IU Southeast's way after Logan Coughlin hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to break a scoreless tie. Trent Simpson singled to center to start the inning, then Coughlin homered to left on a 1-2 count to break the game open. The home run was his second of the season. Evan Bickett came on to close the game out and pick up his first save of the season.
The Grenadiers' pitching staff combined on a two-hit shutout. Michael Fitzwater went five innings and gave up two hits while striking out four. Brian Nacke came on in the sixth and retired the side in order. After Nacke walked a batter to start the seventh, Bickett got the next three outs. Nacke (1-0) earned his first win a Grenadier in his second relief appearance.
In game two, a four-run third inning was all the offense the Grenadiers needed to secure the sweep. Clint Chestnut started the game and was solid, giving up two runs on four hits to get the win. He struck out six and walked three batters.
The Bulldogs (1-10) struck first in the opening frame. Phil Stiles tripled to left with one out and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Byrd.
The Grenadiers roared back in the third. After Simpson and Coughlin were both hit by pitches, Tyler Adams hit a three-run home run to right for his first home run of the year. Then Jarret Young singled to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Dapkus. Dayton Rausch singled up the middle to score Young.
Alex Schoettmer struck out the only batter he faced. Evan Bickett allowed one hit and struck out two in two and a third innings of work to get his second save of the day.
The Grenadiers will conclude the weekend series with the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Sunday with a doubleheader.
