WINCHESTER, Ky. — Back-to-back walk-off victories lifted Kentucky State to a 2-1 SIAC series win over Miles in Winchester, Kentucky.
During the series the Thorobreds amassed 43 hits,13 doubles and four homeruns.
On the mound,
Ashton Renfro took the win in game two and
Bailey Hawkins secured the win in the series close.
GAME ONE: Kentucky State 8, Miles 14
Although a strong showing at the plate, Kentucky State fell 14-8 to Miles in game one. The Golden Bears used a strong opening inning of four runs and back-to-back three run innings in the fifth and sixth inning to outlast the Thorobreds.
In the opening game Kentucky State outhit Miles 15-9, an effort led by
Cameron McDonald who went 3-for-4 at the plate that included one double and three runs.
Preston Jones also had a strong performance going 3-for-5 at the plate along with one run and RBI.
Brady Wooldridge added a solo homerun in the eighth inning and added 2 RBIs to the total.
GAME TWO: Kentucky State 11, Miles 10 (8 inn.)
Overcoming an early 4-0 deficit and a late 9-5 deficit, Kentucky State defeated Miles in an eight-inning, 11-10 walk-off victory.
Miles jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the top of the second inning, largely aided by two Kentucky State defensive errors.
Trailing in the bottom of the inning,
Jonathan Padgett hit a two-run home run into left-center field, scoring
Brady Wooldridge to cut the lead in half, 4-2.
The Golden Bears extended their lead to 9-5 at the top of the sixth inning. The Thorobreds responded with a three-run bottom half highlighted by a two-run double from
Ryan Campbell to pull within one, 9-8.
After Miles took a 10-9 lead at the top of the eighth inning, Kentucky State responded with a solo home run from
Ryan Campbell that tied the game at 10-10. Coming in as a pinch hitter, Brayden Duncan hit a double into left field to drive in
Harry Major for an 11-10 walk-off victory.
GAME THREE: Kentucky State 12, Miles 2 (7 inn.)
Kentucky State's offense exploded early and often, scoring in five of seven innings to secure a dominant, error-free 12-2 win over Miles. The Thorobreds were led by
Cameron McDonald, who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, and
Ryan Campbell, who launched a two-run homer in the first inning.
The spark ignited in the bottom of the first inning for Kentucky State, as a two-run homer to center field gave the Thorobreds an early 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning,
Logan Christophel batted in McDonald for the first run of the inning. With a pair of runners in scoring position,
Preston Jones hit a double to right field, extending the lead to 5-1.
In the fourth inning, Kentucky State maintained its momentum, as
Haruta Endo hit a two-run double to right field, pushing the score to 7-1.
After keeping Miles scoreless in the fifth inning, McDonald continued his perfect performance at the plate with an RBI single to left field to add one run (8-1) in the sixth inning.
The Golden Bears struggled on the mound as a pair of walks with the bases loaded added two runs for the Thorobreds. Campbell secured the walk-off with a single to center field, sealing a 12-2 victory.
Up Next
Kentucky State will head to Paducah, Kentucky as they face NCAA Division I opponent Murray State on Tuesday, March 10 at 3 p.m.
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