AMERICUS, Ga. — A late rally in the eighth inning, was just enough to get the No. 5 Barry University Baseball team the victory over Georgia Southwestern Saturday afternoon.
Barry (1-1) trailed early in the game after a few miscues led to a pair of unearned runs in the early going. Struggling to find their rhythm offensively the Bucs continued to battle throughout, going deep into counts and eventually getting to the Hurricane’s bullpen. Trent Franzago pitched six innings of scoreless ball against the Bucs, but it wasn’t until the eighth inning that Barry would capitalize on the Hurricane’s bullpen. The Bucs scored four runs on four hits in the frame to take a two run advantage.
After taking the lead, the Bucs surrendered a run in the bottom half of the eighth, but Tim Blackmon would work the ninth and seal the victory.
Jordan Wellander pitched seven innings allowing just two runs, neither of which were earned, striking out two and surrendering just one walk. Lyndon Coleman finished game one going 3-for-5. The Bucs scattered nine hits as Holness, Planas, Young, Blackmon, Ruiz and Ramos each added a hit in the ball game.
Game two of the double header featured a pair of southpaws, as Barry’s Corey Witkowski faced off against Matt Weaver.
Witkowski, a pre-season All-American selection, struggled in the early going and was never quite himself. The Hurricanes (1-1) touched Witkowski for 10 hits and seven runs, three earned, in four innings of work.
On the other side, Weaver picked up the win with his ability to change speeds and keep his pitches in the bottom of the strike-zone. The Buccaneers were held hitless until the top portion of the seventh inning when Sheehan Planas singled to right field.
Frank Szczepanik worked a scoreless fifth and sixth, striking out two and not allowing a hit. John Duran finished 3-for-4 with two runs, and Michel Coffey hit his first home run of the year, a two run home run in the fourth inning.
Barry will wrap up the three game set with Georgia Southwestern Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Live-stat and audio broadcast is available through the Barry University athletic website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM