Kentucky State University baseball split the final doubleheader of a four-game series with Lake Eric College on Sunday afternoon.
The Thorobreds (3-7) will travel to Lincoln Memorial University for a double header on Tuesday and wrap up the week with a three-game series over the weekend at the University of Charleston.
Game 1: KSU 9 LEC 3
Freshman pitcher Connor Kelley dazzled in his first career start, going the distance in a seven-inning affair. The Frankfort, Kentucky native did suffer a setback early in the first inning. After a misjudged foul ball by sophomore first baseman Artie Santomo, Kelley gave up a two-run home run, followed by another error by the KSU defense plating another run across for a 3-0 deficit.
Kelley settled in the rest of the way, only giving up two hits the remaining six innings. As Kelley got comfortable, the Thorobred offense caught fire. Senior third baseman Brandon Story crushed an opposite field home run for his first long ball of the season. He finished the game 2-for-4 and two RBI.
Santomo kept up his strong start to the season, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and freshman right fielder Vashawn Phillips cashed in to lead the team with three RBI, as he went 1-for-3 with a single and a sacrifice fly.
Game 2: LEC 12 KSU 9
The Thorobreds’ pitching staff had a difficult time finding the strike zone in the second game of the twin bill. Freshman Ricky West and senior Rob Johnson combined for 10 free passes as the defense committed four errors.
LEC jumped out to an 11-2 lead after four innings, but KSU made it interesting pushing across seven runs in the final four innings.
Both senior first baseman Josh Dunn and sophomore Cameron Starks went 2-for-4 in the contest, with Dunn adding two RBI and Stark knocking in one.
by Eric Mathews
