Friday, April 09, 2010

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 9, 2010) - The ETSU baseball team rallied for three runs in the ninth to get a 5-4 comeback win over Jacksonville Friday night at Sessions Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

"What a great outing by Chas Byrne," said head coach Tony Skole, "We needed someone to come in and give a great start, and Chas was electric tonight. You also have to give credit to Scott McNally and Bo Burton for the job they did."

Freshman Scott McNally (Marietta, Ga.) improved to 5-1 on the year for the Bucs (18-11, 7-3 A-Sun) throwing a scoreless eighth in relief. Starter Chas Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) battled for ETSU going 7.0 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts in a no decision.

JU closer Chris Kaminski was tabbed with the loss surrendering three runs on three hits and three walks in two innings of work.

Paul Hoilman (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Kerry Doane (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) led the way offensively for the Buccaneers. Hoilman was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a RBI, while Doane was 4-for-5 with two doubles and drove in two runs.

The Dolphins grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as Dan Gulbransen came in to score on a single to left by Adam Brett Walker.

Centerfielder Matthew Scruggs (Knoxville, Tenn.) evened the game at 1-all in the top of the third as he drove a solo shot over the fence in right center for his fifth home run of the season.

JU went back in front 2-1 in the fourth on a double to left by Esterlin Perozo as Walker came in to score from first.

In the top of the seventh, the Bucs got some timely hitting from Hoilman as he crushed a double off of the fence in center scoring Andrew Green (Powell, Tenn.) to tie the game at 2-2.

After an ETSU error prolonged the JU seventh, Alex Martinez made the Bucs pay as he roped a double down the right field line scoring two Dolphin runners to make the score 4-2 Jacksonville.

Kaminski loaded the bases walking three of the first five batters he saw in the ninth. Doane punched a single to left bringing in two runs to tie the game for the third time, 4-4. In the next at bat, sophomore Cory Betterson (Atlanta, Ga.) slapped a single to right scoring Bo Reeder (Cookeville, Tenn.) to give the Buccaneers a 5-4 lead.

Junior Bo Burton (Kingsport, Tenn.) was a walk away from a perfect ninth as he struck out Martinez to end the game and pick up his fourth save of the season.

"We had some great at bats in the ninth," Skole said. "Kerry really played a great game being in his home state, and you can't be more proud of Corey as he came through for us."

The Bucs are back in action tomorrow at 1p.m. as ETSU and JU will play a doubleheader. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.

ETSU 5, Jacksonville 4 (April 9, 2010 at Jacksonville, Fla.)
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ETSU............ 001  000  103      -      5    12  5  (18-11, 7-3 A-Sun)

JU.................. 010  100  200      -      4      6   0  (16-15, 8-5 A-Sun)

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Pitchers: ETSU - Chas Byrne; Scott McNally (8); Bo Burton (9)

JU - Matt Loosen; Chris Kaminski (8)

Win -  Scott McNally (5-1) Loss - Chris Kaminski (3-4) Save - Bo Burton (4)

HR - ETSU - Matthew Scruggs (5)