April 10, 2006

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114/ (901) 619-1899

SOUTHWEST WINS TWO OF THREE AT HIWASSEE
Release written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest baseball team won its sixth consecutive conference series as it defeated Hiwassee in two of three games over the weekend in Madisonville, Tennessee. After dropping a nine-inning game on Friday 7-3, the Saluqis rebounded to take the doubleheader on Saturday by scores of 11-1 and 9-1.

In the first game of Saturday’s twin-bill, Darren Wills pitched six strong innings to improve his season record to 5-2. Chris Crenshaw tossed a scoreless seventh to seal the victory. Wills struck out nine, walked none and allowed only three hits in probably his most dominating performance as a Saluqi.

Offensively, Southwest plated ten runs in the last two frames to take control of the game. Matt Akin was 3 for 3 with a walk and two runs batted in while Josh Maurizi, Philip Gibson, Elvis Sosa, and Corey Rudolph each had two hits to pace the 14-hit attack. Included in Sosa’s hits was his eighth home run of the season.

In game two on Saturday, Ivan Nails was masterful in improving his record to 6-2. The Southeast Missouri signee went the distance, allowing three hits, one run, no walks, and striking out five.

Southwest scored one run in the second, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and put the game away with a five-run sixth. Preston Burleson, Jon Thurston, Corey Rudolph, and Josh Maurizi each collected two hits.

The wins improved the Saluqis’ overall record to 27-14 and their conference record to 14-9. This week, Southwest hosts Coahoma on Tuesday and Northwest Mississippi on Wednesday before traveling to St. Louis this weekend to take on Meramec on Friday and Saturday.