March 19, 2006

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114/ (901) 619-1899 / Kimberly Kreider (901) 333-4023

SOUTHWEST PITCHERS DOMINATE ROANE STATE IN THREE-GAME SWEEP
Release written by Keith Gentry

The Southwest baseball team swept Roane State in a three-game series over the weekend at Gagliano Field, improving their record to 19-9 overall and 8-6 in the TJCCAA. The Saluqis defeated Roane State 3-2 in a single game on Friday then completed the sweep on Saturday as they won both games of a doubleheader by scores of 7-0 and 4-0.

In Friday’s game, Corey Rudolph knocked in the game winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pitcher Jason Adams went the distance on the mound, allowing one earned run, surrendering five hits and striking out a career high 12 batters. He walked none while improving to 4-2 on the season. Down 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Philip Gibson led off with a single. Elvis Sosa promptly deposited a pitch in deep left centerfield which plated Gibson from first. After a ground out, Rudolph delivered with his second game winning hit of the week, scoring Sosa from third.

In game one on Saturday, pitcher Darren Wills went the distance, allowing three hits and striking out six. Wills improved his season record to 2-2. Sosa was 4 for 4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a home run. He narrowly missed hitting for the cycle as he doubled in the sixth, missing out on the needed triple. Rudolph hit his fourth home run of the year, leading off the bottom of the fifth. Derrick McBride, Preston Burleson, and Rudolph all had two hits.

In the final game of the series, pitcher Ivan Nails continued the Saluqis’ dominance over the Raiders as he scattered six hits and struck out six, improving his record to 4-1. Sosa again swung the bat well as he went 3 for 3. McBride drove in a pair of runs and Brent Moss had an RBI triple.

Southwest will return to action this weekend with a road trip to Columbia, Tennessee to take on Columbia State in a three-game conference series. The two teams will play a single game on Friday, March 24 at 5 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, March 25.