Eagles Win on Day Two of AAC Tournament
Kingsport, TN - The Eagles kept their winning ways going on Wednesday, day two of the AAC Tournament. They have put them in a good position to finish strong, but a little more work is needed. By winning on Wednesday, the Eagles will play in the semifinal match-up, but the opponent will not be decided until after the first game between Bluefield versus Bryan has been played. Reinhardt has beat both these teams in the first two days of the tournament, but double-elimination allows for one of them to make it back through to take on the Eagles once more. The remainder of the tournament will be decided by the outcome of the games tomorrow. With a win, the Eagles will put themselves in the Championship game, which could very well be the Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan.
Ethan Foley got the start on day two of the tournament and he showed why he was an AAC 1st Team Player. He was able to pitch all nine innings, which is very valuable to a team. Foley can have games where he "wows you" with his stats, however, he can do just as well with ordinary stats in a game. He knows how to control a game and limit baserunners and runs to cross the plate. In game two of the tournament, Foley recorded 4 strikeouts and only gave up 4 runs (3 of which were earned). The Lions did get 10 hits, however, Foley was in control of the game and he spread those hits and runs over the nine innings. The offense did what they needed to do and gave a good cushion for Foley to work with.
Jarrett Burney had a marvelous day at the plate getting two doubles in the game going 2 for 4 to lead the Eagles. His double in the first inning allowed Patrick Baggett and Tucker Zdunich to score giving the Eagles an early 2-0 lead. Burney would double again in the fourth inning which was another big inning for the Eagles. He was eventually hit home on a sac fly to center by Nick Sanders. The Eagles were able to get 3 total runs in the fourth giving the Eagles a 5-2 lead. This was enough to win the game with Foley's pitching, however, the Eagles were able to put another two runs on the board in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Lance Dockery doubled in the sixth which brought in Sanders. Later in the inning, Cedric Cullars was able to score on a wild pitch. In the seventh inning, Dawson Johns would get a double which scored Zdunich. Sanders would come up next to get another sac fly which scored Johns from second. This would give the Eagles a commanding 9-3 lead. Bryan was able to get one more run in the game in the eighth inning, but that would be it for the game with the Eagles getting the win, 9-4.
The Eagles will find out their day three opponent around noon on Friday once the first game of the day has been played.
Below is the tournament update from AAC Website:
TWU, Reinhardt Remain Lone Undefeated in Baseball Tournament
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Day three of the 2022 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Baseball Tournament wrapped up with Tennessee Wesleyan and Reinhardt left as the only undefeated teams left on Thursday.
The tournament is being played at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn.
No. 7 Bluefield 12, No. 3 Point 7
The Rams scored 11 runs on 10 hits over the sixth and seventh innings, rallying back from a 5-1 deficit to eliminate the third-seeded Skyhawks. Bryce Medlock and Clay Wisner each had game-tying home runs during the rally and Bluefield took the lead for good on an RBI double by Maximo Aristy.
No. 8 Montreat 16, No. 4 St. Andrews 12
Chase Bruno and Tarik Latchmansing each had four hits and a combined eight RBIs as the Cavaliers had 20 hits as a team to advance. Bruno had five RBIs and Latchmansing broke a 2-2 tie with a solo home run in the fourth inning as Montreat led the rest of the way, pulling ahead by as many as eight before the Knight, who had 19 hits of their own, rallied with four two-out runs in the ninth inning.
No. 2 Reinhardt 9, No. 6 Bryan 4
Jarrett Burney blasted a two-run double in the first inning and the Eagles never surrendered the lead, adding multiple runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings. Burney had two hits while Nick Sanders drove in two runs for Reinhardt, which won despite being outhit 10-7.
No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan 16, No. 5 Milligan 1
After a somewhat sloppy opener (albeit one that still resulted in a 10-run win), the Bulldogs imposed their will from the start, burying a Buffaloes team during a nine-run third inning. Zach Hogueisson and Livan Reinoso each had home runs in the frame. Evan Magill had a team-high four hits and four RBIs, adding a homer of his own in the seventh.
On the mound, Kobe Foster struck out 13 batters while scattering six hits an allowing one run in seven innings of work.
Play resumes on Friday with four games beginning at 9 a.m.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Single-day tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for students. Tournament passes are also available for $38 per adult and $18 per student.
If unable to attend in person, all games will be streamed live online. To watch, click here.
Here is the complete tournament schedule:
Tournament Schedule
Tuesday, May 3
Game 1 - No. 7 Bluefield (29-16) def. No. 10 Columbia International (21-32), 14-3 (7 innings) (BOX) - Columbia International eliminated
Game 2 - No. 9 Montreat (32-24) def. No. 8 Truett McConnell (25-22), 5-1 (BOX) - Truett McConnell eliminated
Wednesday, May 4
Game 3 - No. 5 Milligan (35-19) def. No. 4 St. Andrews (37-16), 11-2 (BOX)
Game 4 - No. 6 Bryan (24-24) def. No. 3 Point (25-21), 12- 7 (BOX)
Game 5 - No. 2 Reinhardt (34-19) def. No. 7 Bluefield (29-17), 7-6 (BOX)
Game 6 - No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan (48-5) def. No. 9 Montreat (32-25), 20-10 (BOX)
Thursday, May 5
Game 7 - No. 7 Bluefield (30-17) def. No. 3 Point (25-22), 12-7 (BOX) - Point eliminated
Game 8 - No. 9 Montreat (33-25) def. No. 4 St. Andrews (37-16), 16-12 (BOX) - St. Andrews eliminated
Game 9 - No. 2 Reinhardt (35-19) def. No. 6 Bryan (24-25), 9-4 (BOX)
Game 10 - No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan (49-5) vs. No. 5 Milligan (35-20), 7 pm (BOX)
Friday, May 6
Game 11 - No. 7 Bluefield (30-17) vs. No. 6 Bryan (24-25), 9 am
Game 12 - No. 9 Montreat (33-25) vs. No. 5 Milligan (35-20), 12 pm
Game 13 - No. 2 Reinhardt (35-19) vs. Game 11 Winner, 4 pm
Game 14 - No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan (49-5) vs. Game 12 Winner, 7 pm
Saturday, May 7
The schedule will be finalized following the results of Games 13 and 14. If only one game, it will be played at 2 pm. If there one 'if necessary' game is needed, it will be played at 11 am with the championship game at 3 pm. If both 'if necessary games are needed, the games will be played at 11 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm.
https://www.aacsports.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/releases/202205060x5rnw