MURFREESBORO, N.C. (March 8) – Behind a complete-game shutout effort from junior
Colton Lankford (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett), the Tigers played to a split with Chowan University, winning 3-0 in game two, following a 13-2 loss in the opener Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
With the split, the Salem International University baseball team improves to 2-13 overall, while the Hawks move to 8-7 this season.
The Tigers gave Lankford three runs in the fourth inning of game two, which proved to be more than enough for the Texas native. Lankford (1-2) earned his first win at Salem International with a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits, striking out 12 and issuing only one walk.
The 6-foot-1 pitcher retired the first 14 Chowan batters in order and had his no-hit bid broken with a two-out single in the sixth inning.
The Tigers touched up the Hawks for three runs in the fourth inning behind the power of four hits, including three doubles. Junior center fielder
Hunter Williams (Gunter, Texas/Gunter) led the frame off with a double and scored on another extra-base hit by junior right fielder
Nicco Lollio (Carleton, Mich./Airport). Junior catcher
Rahul Badve (Mississuga, Ontario/Woodlands Secondary) followed suit with an RBI-double to drive in Lollio and classmate
Cody Whitmer delivered an RBI-single to give Salem International a 3-0 lead.
Chowan threatened in the seventh inning with runners at first and second with one out, but Lankford struck out the side to send the Tigers off with the victory.
Salem International could not overcome a six-run first inning in game one and the host Chowan pounded out 13 hits in the Tigers 13-2 loss.
The Tigers got on the board in the fourth with a pair of RBI-singles by Badve and Whitmer, but Chowan took full command of the game with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and four in the fifth to pull away for the win.
Freshman pitcher
Kevin Ortiz-Arroyo (Orlando, Fla./Cypress Creek) was saddled with the loss. Ortiz-Arroyo (0-5) allowed nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings of work.
Freshman shortstop
Ty Cole (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels) led the team at the plate with a three-hit afternoon, while Lollio, Badve and Whitmer tallied a hit in each game. Badve and Whitmer each finished the day with two RBI to lead the offense.
The Tigers are idle this weekend before they play their home and Great Midwest Athletic Conference opener against Cedarville University on Friday, March 20 at Frank Loria Memorial Field. The Tigers and Jackets will square off for two doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, with the first-pitch set for 12 p.m. on each day.
