Tigers fall 8-7 to No. 11 Patriots
Bryan Benz came up clutch time and time again Thursday evening as University of the Cumberlands stole a win from Georgetown College in the Mid-South Conference baseball tournament in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Tigers (28-21) had leads of three and four runs, but could not hold on to them as Benz hit a pair of two-run home runs and finished it off with a walk-off RBI single in an 8-7 win at Bowling Green Park.
Shawn Dubin threw a beautiful game and had the offensive power behind him, unfortunately, the Patriots (45-7) got going late for the rally win. The home team and top seed in the tournament never led until a bases-loaded, two-out, single down the third base line produced the game-winning run.
GC scored once in the third and added a three spot in the fifth to be on cruise control.
A trio of errors, however, in the bottom of the fifth allowed UC to score twice and trim the deficit in half. An inning later Benz crushed his first two-run home run to tie the game.
Georgetown did not duck its head though, rather, rallied back to score one in the seventh for a 5-4 lead. The Tigers added another two in the eighth and seemed to be ready to slam the door.
Dubin came back out in the eighth and got the first two hitters out – a strikeout and ground out. However, he hit the next batter and surrendered the second two-run shot by Benz for a one-run lead. Dubin stayed in with the lead and Cumberlands capitalized with the momentum for a solo home run by J.C. Santos – his first hit of the night – to tie the game once again.
Larkin Heldt drew a two out walk to give GC a runner on in the ninth, but he was stranded setting the stage for Benz once again.
Richard Escobedo got two outs, but also with a pair of walks and a fielder's choice loaded the bases for the hottest hitter of the night. Michael Koltak came in to try and slam the door to force extra innings, but his first pitch was singled down the third base line and the game was over.
Georgetown falls into the consolation bracket, playing 4 pm EDT Friday. Opponent is not yet known as it depends on some earlier games throughout the day.