Defensive Woes Lead to Skyhawks Doubleheader Losses
BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – The Point University Skyhawks baseball team combined five runs on Saturday, but it wasn't nearly enough to contain the Blue Mountain Christian Toppers, who claimed victory 10-3 and 8-2. It moved the Skyhawks to 10-8 overall and 0-3 to begin conference play.
Game One:
A six-run sixth inning from the Toppers proved decisive as Point dropped a 10-3 decision at the BMCU Sportsplex.
The Skyhawks fell behind early when Blue Mountain jumped on top with a four-run first inning, then put the game out of reach with another outburst in the sixth. Point, limited to three hits on the day, chipped away with a run in the third and two more in the sixth to pull within one before the home team's 17-hit attack ultimately separated the sides.
The Skyhawks' best offensive surge came in the sixth. Arwin Burgos singled and stole second to ignite the rally, and Damian Hernandez followed with a base hit and later advanced to put additional pressure on the defense. Brady Bye drove in a run as Point plated two in the inning, trimming the margin to 4-3 and bringing the tying run into play before Blue Mountain escaped further damage.
Offensively, Point managed three hits and two stolen bases while leaving five runners on base. Defensively, the Skyhawks were charged with one error behind the pitching staff, which consisted of starter Daniel Crabtree and reliever Cole Johnson.
Game Two:
Blue Mountain starter Benji Webb was the difference, throwing a complete game and keeping Point's lineup in check for most of the day. Webb worked all nine innings, allowing just six hits and two runs with eight strikeouts and no walks on 124 pitches.
Blue Mountain methodically built an 8-0 lead through five innings. Point scored both of their runs in the top of the sixth. It began with a Jonathan Kohlman double, and Burgos followed with an extra base hit to break the shutout. Hernandez made his name known again, singling in another run and capping the two-run inning.
Offensively, Burgos led the Skyhawks' attack with a run-scoring double and a run scored, while Kohlman was the lone Skyhawk to produce a multi-hit outing. Point finished with six hits.
On the mound, Point pitchers worked eight innings and allowed 13 hits and eight earned runs, walking four and striking out two. Vittorio Iacobucci started and hurled three and a third innings before Jack Teague, Garrett Mullins and Harris Burns saw the mound.
The Skyhawks take a step away from conference action for a rematch against the Truett McConnell Bears. That will be a 3:00pm road game this Tuesday, March 3rd in Cleveland, Georgia.