The ETSU baseball team competed against Georgia State University in one game on Feb. 29 and two more on March 1 where they swept the competition 3-0.
The first day was a 9-3 win for Buccaneers taking them into Sunday’s games 7-2.
The first game on Sunday was a huge win for the team at 18-7, and the second game, after rough beginning, was another 5-4 win in 10 innings.
“Offensively we were really good,” said head coach Joe Pennucci. “We went behind early, and we just came back and were resilient offensively.”
The team started each game of the series down against Georgia State but managed to come back and take all three wins.
“This team just doesn’t give up no matter if we get down in first, fourth and fifth inning,” said senior Jake Lyle (Spring Hill, Tennessee). “We have energy in the dugout. We’re ready to come back and keep going at it.”
Freshman Ashton King (Knoxville, Tennessee) was the first Buc of the season to hit five RBI’s.
“I would never have expected it, that just shows what finding barrels can do for you,” said King.
Lyle has reached base in all 11 games so far in the season along with two other teammates. Lyle also had the game-winning hit in the 10-inning of the final game of the series.
“Not to get too big and take it one day at a time,” said Lyle. “I try to lock it in and not take any for granted.”
Sophomore Zach Kirby (Upland, California) made a career-high of seven strikeouts.
The Bucs have improved their stats sheet since the beginning of the season by hitting five triples over the weekend after entering the series with two and their 9-2 overall score after the end of the weekend.
The Blue and Gold has a long weekend ahead of them as they will be hosting the ETSU Tournament. The Bucs kick off their games on March 6 against Wagner College, and they continue through the weekend playing Marist College on March 7 and Ohio University on March 8.
