Friday, March 02, 2007

ROCK HILL, S.C. (Mar. 2, 2007) - Junior Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.) drove in both Buccaneer runs, and four ETSU pitchers combined to shutout Kent State as the Baseball Bucs opened play at the Coca-Cola Classic with a 2-0 victory at Winthrop Ballpark.  It is the first ETSU shutout since the Bucs defeated UNC Greensboro 1-0 in 2005.

The Bucs improve to 8-3 on the season, while the Golden Flashes fall to 2-5.

Junior Brandon Langston (Ringgold, Ga.) scattered five hits and struck out three batters in 7 1/3 innings of work, improving to 2-1 on the season.  The right-hander allowed only three runners into scoring position for the game before giving way to the bullpen in the eighth inning.

After three and a half scoreless innings, senior C.J. Lee (Bristol, Va.) led off the bottom of the fourth with his second double of the season.  Russell followed with a double of his own, staking the Bucs to a 1-0 lead.

Russell added an insurance run with his third homer of the season in the sixth inning, but the single run was all the Bucs' staff needed.  Sophomore Darren Caldwell (Spartanburg, S.C.) came on to record the second out in the eighth inning, and senior Caleb Glafenhein (Knoxville, Tenn.) retired the final four batters for his third save of the season.

Kent State starter John Pacella (1-1) gave up both runs in 6 2/3 innings of work, striking out five and allowing five hits.  It was just the third loss of the senior's four-year career with the Golden Flashes.

The Bucs continue the tournament Saturday afternoon against Temple with a noon first pitch.