This weekend we played in the Coca Cola Tournament at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The tournament consisted of four teams. East Tennessee State, Temple, Kent State and the host team Winthrop University.

Friday afternoon we played East Tennessee State University. Senior J.J. Pacella Pacella tossed six and two-third innings, allowing only two runs on five hits while striking out five and walking none. Junior Reid Lamport pitched one and a third perfect innings and fanned two Bucs batters for the Flashes. J.J and Reid kept us in the game, but East Tennessee’s starter Brandon Langston held us to just five hits and did not give up a run. We lost the opening game or the tournament 2-0.

On Saturday, we were scheduled to play a day-night doubleheader. The first game was against Winthrop. Freshman Kyle Smith was coming off his first collegiate win against the University of Florida and was taking the hill against the Eagles. Kyle threw four and a third innings before sophomore Steven Davis was called from the bullpen.

The Eagles’ offense was too much, as they scored nine runs on twelve hits. Even though we recorded ten hits in the game, we could only put across one runner; we lost the game 9-1 as our offensive woes continued.

Saturday night’s game was not a part of the tournament; The Citadel was looking to pick up an extra game, so we decided that we had enough pitchers to do so.

Sophomore Alan Morrison made his season debut on the mound on Saturday night. This was definitely and offensive game, as both teams combined for 22 runs on 25 hits. The highlight of the game came in the third inning when freshman Jared Bartholomew hit his first home run. Then, two batters later, freshman Anthony Gallas and sophomore Greg Rohan went back to back. That was also Anthony's first career homer. But The Citadel's offense was just a little too much and it went on to win 13-9.

Losing three games in a row made Sunday’s game against Temple a must-win.

Senior Evan Smith threw five innings and allowed just three hits. He was followed up by sophomore Chris Carpenter, who was making his first mound appearance in almost two years after suffering from an arm injury. Carpenter retired all three batters he faced in the sixth. Reid Lamport came in and threw two scoreless innings and was followed up by senior closer Ryan Davis.

The offense followed up The Citadel game with eight runs on eleven hits. Andrew Davis and Will Vazquez finished with two hits, while Anthony Gallas led the Flashes with three hits.

Brad Winter

(photo courtesy of Kent State Media Relations Office)