Dyersburg State sweeps twinbill from Vols

CARTERVILLE - The John A. Logan College baseball squad dropped a home doubleheader to Dyersburg State, Tenn., Wednesday, 10-6 and 11-5.

In the opener, Dyersburg scored four runs in the second inning and three more in the third to take a commanding 7-0 lead. The Volunteers fought back, plating five runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning, but could never tie the game or take the lead.

Logan was led offensively by Hunter Sullivan who stroked two his and drove in two runs. Collin Clayton also had two hits. Adding one apiece were: Ashton Creal, Reid Pope, Jack Wilson and Shane Peisker. 

Winning pitcher for the Eagles was Hunter Pope. He went the distance, allowing six runs on eight hits in his seven innings of work. He struck out 14 and walked two.

Pitcher of record for the Vols was starter Justin Bauersachs, who could only manage two innings, surrendering seven runs (four earned) on six hits. 

Seeing action out of the bullpen were: Davin Marcomb (no runs in two innings), Kyle Ostrowski (one run in one inning), Andrew Zenner (no runs in one inning) and Trey Rile (two runs in one inning).

In the nightcap, the Eagles overcame an early 2-0 deficit with six runs in the top of the second inning and five more runs late to pull away with the victory.

Winning pitcher was Ralph Fernandez. He went all seven innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. He had eight strikeouts and walked seven.

Logan starter Jordan Kenne was touched for six runs in 1 2/3 frames. Following him to the bump were: Austin Christ, Adison Wildharber and Cole Hensel.

Sullivan and Clayton paced the Vols' offense with two hits each. Cameron Touchette, Keegan Breese, Jeremy Gaines and Creal each banged out one hit.

"Today was much of the same as the last couple days," said JALC second-year head coach Kyle Surprenant. "We gave too many free bases and struck out too many times to be successful. It's been a tough stretch for us (four losses over the last seven games). We are asking a lot of these guys with the schedule this past week."

Surprenant said the heavy dose of contests has "exposed some things in our game and gives us an opportunity to attack those weaknesses as we head into the next week of our conference series."

Surprenant said he knows the Vols are a good ballclub.

"We are going to be just fine," he said. "We will continue to get better and are going to win our share of games and compete for a conference championship."

The Vols are now 11-9 overall and will play at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson next Thursday.