WINTER PARK, Fla.- The Barry University baseball team made their 2009 season debut against Valdosta State Tuesday, dropping the contest, 7-1, at Alfond Stadium on the campus of Rollins College.
VSU (2-1) jumped out early on Bucs’ senior pitcher Bobby Hernandez.
In the second inning, a double by Jon Koenigsfield plated the first two runs of the game.
Koenigsfield later scored on a single by Sho Kohata to complete the three-run inning for VSU.
Barry (0-1) threatened in the third inning, as sophomore Drew Dwelly reached on a single to right, junior Nick Shaw walked, then an infield single by senior Danny Lima loaded the bases with two outs for junior Yan Gomes.
But VSU starting pitcher Ross Gusky induced Gomes to ground out to third to end the threat.
Senior DH Joel Keefe recorded the first run of the year for Barry in the bottom of the fourth, as he hit a towering one out solo home run to right field that went off the top of the scoreboard to cut the lead down to 3-1.
VSU would put the game out of reach in the sixth.
After the first two outs were quickly recorded, the Blazers’ Logan Pierce drew a walk. That drew the end for Hernandez, as freshman Corey Witkowski came on in relief. Chase Blackwood then reached on an 0-2 hit-by-pitch to set the stage for Austin Smith.
Smith drilled a three-run homer to right-center to expand the lead to five, which was enough for VSU to hold on for the victory.
Brandon Graves came on in relief and recorded the victory for the Blazers pitching 1.2 innings.
Hernandez took the loss, as he lasted 5.2 innings and gave up four earned runs.
Robbie Conver and Julio Diez each pitched scoreless innings in relief for the Bucs.
Barry will now get set for their home opener this Thursday when they welcome in Nova Southeastern for a non-conference game beginning at 6 p.m.
Valdosta State 7, Barry 1
(02/03/09 at Winter Park, FL)
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Valdosta State...... 030 003 100 - 7 7 0 (2-1)
Barry............... 000 100 000 - 1 5 2 (0-1)
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Pitchers: Valdosta State - Ross Gusky; Brandon Graves(5); Austin Smith(7). Barry -
Bobby Hernandez; Corey Witkowski(6); Robbie Conver(8); Julio Diez(9).
Win-Brandon Graves(1-0) Loss-Bobby Hernandez(0-1) T-2:50 A-100
HR VSU - Austin Smith.
HR BUB - Joel Keefe.
Weather: Windy, Sunny