In Monday's doubleheader the Scots were defeated 1-14 and 3-6. In the first game, the Scots couldn't get much going at the plate, but there were several highlights to note: Jason Pope (1-3), Taylor Oldham (2-3 , solo HR, double), Blaine Newton (1-2), John Whitehead (1-1), John Frederick (2-2, single, double), and Sam Hogan (1-3, double).
The Scots struggled on the mound: Brent Neas (2.2 IP, 3 ER, 1K), Chris Henegar (1.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K), Michael Risko (2.1 IP, 5ER), and Luke Furuto (.2 IP, 0 ER). In the second inning, Taylor Oldham gave the Scots their only run with his solo shot. After tying up the game in the second inning, the Scots could not produce any more runs. In t the third inning, J. Frederick singled and Hogan doubled him to third base, but even with two runners in scoring position, the Scots did not capitalize. In the fourth inning, Pope and Newton singled; Oldham doubled in the fifth; in the seventh Whitehead singled and J. Frederick doubled to threaten a comeback but to no avail with the final score 1-14.
In the second game, the Scots came out ready to play and manufacturing runs more easily. At the plate, there were several highlights: Taylor Oldham (1-3, RBI), Blaine Newton (1-3), Sam Hogan (1-2, double, walk, run scored), Jared Carlson (2-3, single, RBI double), and Harrison Fisher (2-3, 2 singles). On the mound, Demarius Johnson threw five solid innings giving up only two earned runs with five strikeouts. Wes McDowell came out of the bullpen but couldn't hold back the Rams power bats giving up two earned runs.
In the first inning, Pope reached on error, Oldham and Newton both singled but no one scored. In the second inning, Hogan leadoff with a walks, Carlson reached first with the infield hit. Courtesy runner Hagopian stole third and, during Justin Greer's at-bat, scored on the wild pitch. The Scots tied up the game 2-2 in the fourth inning with Hogan's double and Carlson's RBI double. In the fifth inning, Fisher and O'Ban both singled. Pope successfully moved the runners over with a sac bunt, and Oldham hit the ball to the right side to score another run. Unfortunately the Rams took the lead and continued to score to put the game away 3-6.
The Scots went extras on Tuesday but lost 6-7. Although Covenant did not execute as well as they could have in several key situations, the Scots put the bat on the ball all day long: Fisher (2-5), Oldham (3-4, two doubles, 4 RBI), Hogan (2-5), and Carlson (2-5). Despite the impressive efforts at the plate, the defense did not support the pitching staff which caused six unearned runs.
Starting pitcher Chris Greer continued to battle on the rubber for six innings with three strikeouts. Freshman Ty Smith came out of the pen with a fire in his belly to hold the Rams in the 6-6 ballgame. He threw four innings and gave up only one unearned run with one strikeout. It was leadership like Smith's that motivated the Scots to battle all game long, and it is those kinds of young men who make Covenant athletics thrive.
On the tail end of a disappointing series against Bluefield, the Scots look forward to the JV game on Wednesday (4/1) at Maryville College at 4 pm and this weekend conference series at UVA-Wise (Fri @ 5pm, Sat @ 1pm).
