ETSU’s baseball team split a doubleheader with Binghamton Saturday at Cardinal Park.
The Bucs exploded offensively in the first game with a 13-3 win, but the Bearcats turned it around with a 15-7 win in game two.
The Bucs scored ten unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings of the first game, including a three-run homer by junior second baseman Andy Howdeshell and a grand slam by freshman Shane Byrne.
Junior starter Tim Turner picked up his first win of the season (1-0), pitching five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Mark Messina (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Bearcats, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing nine earned runs on seven hits.
“Tim was not as sharp as he normally is, but he still pitched very well,” ETSU head coach Tony Skole said.
Howdeshell, Kevin Brotherton and Justin Clear all had two hits in the game. Byrne led the Bucs with four RBIs, while Howdeshell added three and Caleb Moore had two.
“We got timely hits and big RBIs in game one,” Skole said. “We got great production out of the top of the order with our top three batters driving in nine combined runs.”
Binghamton’s bats came alive in game two, scoring runs in all but one inning.
The Bearcats gained the early advantage in game two, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after one and a half innings. T.J. Kowalchuk connected for a three-run homer in the top of the first and a two-RBI double by designated hitter Dusty Edwards were the big blows for the Bearcats.
Kowalchuk went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs. Right fielder Tony Berube also had four runs driven in for the Bearcats.
Senior first baseman Chad Boruff and Clear led the Bucs with two hits each in game two. Boruff also had three RBIs.
Freshman pitcher Jeremy Hall took the loss (0-1) after pitching three innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits.
“We are not going to win many games when we allow the opposing team to score in every inning but one,” Skole said. “Hopefully we can come out tomorrow with more energy, and play a little better.

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