MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Baseball) – The Paine College baseball team traveled to Montgomery, Ala. to play the final series of the regular season against Tuskegee University. The Lions were able to win the single game on Saturday with a score of 10-1. On Sunday, Paine split the doubleheader by winning game one, 6-4, and dropping game two, 7-4.
The Lions close out regular season play and head into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball tournament with an overall record of 26-18 and 13-7 in league play. The Golden Tigers end their season with an overall record of 11-27 and conference record of 7-13.
In game one, Paine dominated Tuskegee by gaining a 3-0 in the top of the second inning and never looked back. The Lions scored one run in the top of third and sixth inning, three runs in the seventh inning, and one run in the eighth and ninth inning.
Evan Krenz continued his pitching dominance and picked up the win with eight innings pitched. Krenz finished the day with five hits, one run, one walk and five strike outs.
Zach Rader closed the game for Paine with one inning pitched for one hits, no runs, no walks, and one strike out.
Trey Nelson suffered the loss for the Golden Tigers with six innings pitched for eight hits, five runs, one walk and three strike outs.
For the first game of the doubleheader, both teams were scoreless until the seventh inning. Paine rattled off six runs in the top of the inning. Tuskegee tried to rally with two runs but couldn't get a rhythm.
Adam Martin picked up the win for Paine. Martin pitched a complete seven inning game for four hits, two runs, four walks, and eight strike outs.
Jordyn Thomas took the loss on the mound for the Golden Tigers. Thomas pitched six innings for one hit, one run, no walks, and seven strike outs.
The second game of the doubleheader proved to be more of challenge for the Lions. Paine jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead going in to the bottom of the third inning.
Tuskegee answered back with six runs, five in the fifth inning and one in the bottom of the sixth. The Lions weren't able to able to recover and closed out the game on a ground out double play.
Juan Berger suffered the loss for Paine with two innings pitched for two hits, five runs, three walks and two strike outs.
Christopher Emerson snapped up the win for the Golden Tigers with three inning pitched for 10 hits, four runs, no walks, and no strike outs. John Bryant earned a save with two innings pitched for no hits, no runs, four walks, and no strike outs.
The Lions await the bracket to be released by the SIAC office this week which will give the time and opponent for the opening round game at the SIAC Baseball Championships.
