Kentucky State University baseball fell to the University of Cumberland in nonconference action on Tuesday night, 15-5 at Doyle Buhle Stadium.
The Thorobreds (9-23) have split their last six games, going 3-3 over the last week and a half, including 2-1 against SIAC opponents. KSU will look to continue its stretch against conference foes with a three-game series at LeMoyne-Owen College coming up this weekend.
“Free bases on the mound hurt us today,” said head coach Rob Henry. “We swung it well early and played defense, but too many walks and hit by pitches put us in a hole. We’ll get back after it this weekend and get it cleaned up.”
Following a sacrifice fly by senior third baseman Brandon Story, junior designated hitter Greg Alexander added to the Thorobreds’ lead with a two-run home run to left field in the top of the first inning. The long ball was his team-leading fourth of the season.
With a three-run lead junior pitcher Justin Stinson took the mound against the 20 plus win Patriots, but the lead didn’t last long. UC put up five runs in the bottom half of the inning, heading into the top of the second. KSU tied the game at 5-5 as freshman shortstop Matthew Oxford singled in sophomores Artie Santomo and Russell Sims with a hit to left field.
The Patriots proceeded to hold the Thorobreds scoreless through the remaining five innings, and put up 10 runs in the process, handing Stinson his third loss of the year.
Both Alexander and Oxford led the way for the offense, as each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Sims and sophomore right fielder Jay Poullard followed up going 2-for-3 from the plate.
KSU will square off with the Magicians in Memphis, Tennessee beginning on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 pm ET.
by Eric Mathews
