COUGARS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER WITH DYERSBURG STATE, SET UP RUBBER MATCH
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 9 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
|
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 6 | 0 |
Dyersburg, Tenn. – Cleveland State Community College earned a doubleheader split with Dyersburg State Community College on Friday, rolling to a dominant 15–1 win in Game 1 before dropping a 5–2 decision in the nightcap.
The Cougars broke open the opener with an eight-run fifth inning, turning a 1–1 game into a commanding advantage. Evan Leonard delivered a grand slam as part of a massive day at the plate, finishing with two home runs and seven RBIs. Samuel Formby added four hits, four runs scored, along with a home run and triple, while Hank Adams drove in three.
On the mound, Max Owens was outstanding, tossing a complete game while allowing just one unearned run on five hits. Owens worked efficiently and kept Dyersburg off balance as Cleveland State added runs late to secure the series opener.
Game 2 flipped the script as Dyersburg jumped out early, scoring four runs over the first two innings. Cleveland State answered with a solo homer from Nelson McKnight in the fourth and an RBI single from Hank Adams in the sixth, but the Cougars were unable to close the gap against Eagles starter Cy Maness.
Starter Parker Coe went the distance for Cleveland State in the seven-inning contest, allowing five runs (three earned) while battling through traffic and keeping the game within reach into the late innings.
Head coach Aaron Bryant said the day illustrated both sides of conference baseball.
"Game one showed what we're capable of when we're disciplined at the plate and get good pitching, and game two showed how small mistakes can matter," Bryant said. "I liked our fight all day. We'll take the split and come back ready to compete tomorrow."
Cleveland State and Dyersburg State will conclude the series in a rubber match Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Central, with conference positioning on the line.
