The Bucs were on fire Tuesday night, resulting in their 16-3 victory over the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders.This game marked the fourth straight win for the baseball team. Following the victory, head coach Tony Skole expressed pride for the players.

“The kids are executing what we practice,” he said. “The guys have got great attitudes. It would have been easy to throw in the towel three or four weeks ago when we were struggling, but [now] the benefits of working hard are starting to show.”

Starting pitcher Jackson Simerly topped his fastball out at 84 miles per hour during the game.

“Jackson gave us a great start. He’s learned what makes him successful,” Skole said. “I’m extremely proud of him.”

Though the first inning went by uneventfully, senior Kirk Keithley stole the spotlight in the second with his first home run of the season and the only one during the game.

The Blue Raiders took a short-lived lead in the third inning, resulting in a brief 2-1 score favoring MTSU.

Yet, the Bucs came back strong in the following innings and ultimately nailed the victory.

ETSU scored three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead and added one run in each of the next two innings before exploding for four runs in the seventh and six in the eighth.

Keithley led the way at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, two runs scored and four RBIs.

Designated hitter Davis Burklin also had a multiple-hit game going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Simerly (1-2) picked up the win for ETSU, going 7.2 innings with five strikeouts and giving up only two earned runs.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for MTSU. Anytime you can get a win over a first-class program such as the one at MTSU, it does wonders for your confidence and program. Hopefully we can get to the regionals one day and make some noise,” said Skole.

The Bucs host VMI on Friday night at 7 p.m. for a three-game series that will conclude on Sunday.

Author