MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University needed extra innings to complete the three-game sweep of Shorter University with an 8-7 victory Sunday afternoon at Feinbloom field.
The Bucs (3-0) have won six straight games against the Hawks after also capturing a series sweep in Rome, Georgia a year ago.
Jesse Montalto got off to a shaky start allowing three runs in the first inning, but buckled down soon after to keep the Bucs in the game through four innings of work in which he struck out four Hawks hitters.
Trailing by four runs after three innings Barry battled back with five unanswered runs scoring two in the third, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth to grab the 5-4 lead.
Both teams traded runs in the seventh and eighth innings but the game remained tied going into the ninth.
In the top of the ninth with the game knotted up at seven Calvin Rayburn faced a bases loaded situation with one out. The right-hander was able to get Walker Borneman to ground into the 1-2-3 double play to end the threat, and Rayburn pumping his fist as he walked off the field.
The Hawks (0-3) also escaped danger in the bottom of the ninth when the Buccaneers had the winning run at second base with two outs, but reliever Zach Wittacker struck out the final batter to keep the game even at seven.
It took just one extra frame to decide the ball-game and the man coming through in the clutch for the Buccaneers was freshman Khalil Denson. Carlos Matamoros drove a ball deep to right-field to start the inning with leadoff triple and that set the stage for Denson.
Denson jumped on the first fastball that he saw and jumped all over it, delivering a liner into right field to win the game in walk-off fashion.
The Bucs’ bullpen was crucial in the win with Luis Deville tossing two scoreless innings in his first appearance of the season, and left-handers Tony Borges and Joeanthony Rivera (1-0) combining for an inning of scoreless ball as well.
Offensively Barry was led by Denson at the top of the lineup with a 2-for-4 day with a pair of RBI and a walk.
Tyler Kellmann, Greg Brodzinski and Matamoros each finished with two hits on the day as well.
Russel Crosby (0-1) took the loss for the Hawks in relief allowing four runs in four innings of relief.
Barry returns to action on Friday at 1 pm with a double-header against Alabama-Huntsville at Feinbloom field.
Live-stat and video broadcast will be available through the Barry University athletics website, GOBARRBUCS.COM.