Macon State Baseball Club

In the rubber match of the series both team’s bats would finally come alive. In the end the Mustangs would be able to out slug the Paladins to a 10 to 9 victory. Knuckleballer Daniel Daniels would get the start one the mound in game 3. He would run into some trouble in the 3^rd inning after a fielding error by his defense and would be taken out of the game. Daniels finished the game after 2 and 2/3 innings with two strike outs but surrendering 8 runs 1 of which was earned. In this game however pitching was not the story. The Mustangs would break out of their team slump and put runs on both of the Furman pitchers that would take the mound. Devon Crouse had an amazing game at the plate going 4 for 4 with two singles, one triple, and a home run. He would finish the game with 4 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Joey Jones would be the winning pitcher in the game after going 1 and 1/3 innings allowing no runs off of one hit while striking out 3. Chance Kitchens would pick up the save going 3 innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 2. J.P. Mitchell and Tyler Sailors would each finish the game going 2 for 4 at the plate. Jake Wood and Austin Duckworth would also contribute with 1 hit in the game. This victory takes Macon State to a 2-1 (2-1 District) record on the year, and gives them an early first place lead in the NCBA District 4 West. The Mustangs will now travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee on February 27^th and 28^th for a non conference series against the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Saturday’s game is schedule for a 7pm start at Engle Stadium in Chattanooga with a Double header on Sunday begging at noon.

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The second game of the series against Furman would see the Mustangs struggle at the plate as they would fall to the Paladins 3 to1. The game started out slow offensively for both teams. Macon State sent right hander Joey Wood  to the mound and he would have a solid outing giving up no runs, until a line drive would hit off of his lower leg in the 4^th inning and cause him to leave the game. The mustangs would then bring in Joey Jones to take over for the injured Wood. Jones would allow 3 runs in 3 and 2/3^rd innings. The bats however were never able to come alive for the Mustangs, and there only run would come off of a 6^th inning home run from 1^st baseman Michael Avery who led the team at the plate going 2 for 3. J.P. Mitchell would also contribute with 2 hits on the day going 2 for 2 with a walk. Devon Crouse, Austin Duckworth, Kurt Thornburg, and Jones would each finish the game with a hit.

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Macon State opened their season at home against District IV West opponent Furman University. Game one would be a pitchers duel that would come down to the bottom of the 7^th when your Mustangs would come away with a walk off 4 to 3 victory. Brandon Byram  got the start for Macon State and would pitch an amazing game. He would get 6 innings only allowing 2 runs off of 3 hits while striking out 5. The game looked to be all but over when the Mustangs brought in there closer but the visiting Furman Paladins would answer with two runs in the top of the 7^th to tie the game at 3 each. The Mustangs would rally in the bottom of the 7^th to load the bases with one out for Tyler Sailors . Sailors would send a line drive up the middle to pick up with 4 to 3 win for the Mustangs. Devon Crouse  led the team at the plate going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and one walk. Sailors, Byram, Kurt Thornburg, and Jake Wood would also contribute with a hit each.

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The championship game would be a rematch of Ohio University vs Macon State. By this time however the 4 hours of sleep after a late game the night before would catch up with the tired Mustangs. They would fall quickly in a 5 inning run rule shortened game to the Bobcats of Ohio. Kurt Thornburg would receive the loss. Even with the loss Macon State had a great showing in the tournament and was also the highest placing D2 school in the tournament.

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Macon State would come out and stay hot and would be led by another strong pitching preformace from Daniel Daniels who picked up the win by strikeing out 8 and giveing up 1 earned run in 6 and 2/3 innings pitched. Daniel also led the team at the plate going 2 fo 4 with 2 rbi's and 2 runs scored.

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After an early loss the Mustangs would have to bounce back and get ready to take on the defending back to back D2 National Champion UK Wildcats. Jake Wood got the start but would have to leave early after suffering an ankle injury. The team bounced back the whole night from multiple large deficit. They would finaly take the lead in the bottom of the 6th, and hang on for victory. Caleb Queen would keep the team in the game most of the night with a strong first ever pitching preformace. J.P. Mitchell led the team at the plate going 3 for 4 with 7 rib's, 3 runs scored and 1 walk. Devon Crouse also had a great night at the plate going 2 for 3 with 4 rbi's 2 runs score and 2 walks. J.P. was the winning pitcher in the game. This win gave Macon State the number 2 seed going into single elimination play the next day.

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After ariving at Macon State at 5:30 am the team left for their first game of the tournament. The Mustangs opened up the game with a quick run and were able to build up a 3-0 lead behind the arm of Daniel Daniels. However the Ohio University Bobcats were able to bounce back and get the win 5-3. Daniels would receive the loss.

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The team came out flat and put them self in a big hole. But just as the night before they would make an amazing comeback to pick up the win. The team fell behind 6 to 0 with only 3 innings left before the bats came alive. The mustangs were able to score 2 in the 5th and 4 in the 6th to tie it up. Then with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th Kurt Thornburg sent a pitch over the left field wall for the walkoff victory. Kurt led the team at the plate going 2 for 3 with 1 rbi, 2 runs scored, and 1 walk. Chance Kitchens would pick up the win. striking out 6 and giveing up 2 earned runs in 5 and 2/3 innings pitched.

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