Friday, February 09, 2001

TROY, Ala. - Senior Jason Bernard led the Troy State baseball team with a two-hit complete game on the mound in its 4-1 victory over East Tennessee State at Riddle-Pace Field on Friday.

Bernard (2-0) allowed only one run, a sixth-inning home run by rightfielder Nate Copeland, in nine innings for the Trojans. The Panama City, Fla., native also had eight strikeouts while facing 31 batters.

Troy State (3-1) opened up the scoring in the bottom of the third inning with Drew Miller's RBI double scoring catcher Lance Newman.

Senior shortstop Casey Smith, a native of Cottonwood, Ala., doubled down the right field line to drive in three runs for the Trojans in the following inning, putting them up 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Newman, Wade Miller and Tim Ellis all scored for Troy State.

Freshman pitcher Matt Hensley received the loss for the Buccaneers (0-3) after allowing four earned runs and six hits in three and two-thirds innings. Reliever Josh Kite also made an appearance for East Tennessee State. Kite allowed one hit and threw four strikeouts against 12 batters.

The second game of the three-game weekend series between Troy State and East Tennessee State is set to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field. The final game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday.