Page 6 Sports — The Clarion | February 20, 2009
Baseball improves to 5-1 season record
by Johnny "Stats" Lange cap setting the scene for Sunday’s clash. Smithson (1-0) retired the side in order in
by Johnny "Stats
Sports Editor
A two-out, two-run walk-off single by
freshman Matthew Pruitt finished off a dra
matic come-from-behind win Sunday for
the Brevard College baseball team against
Mercyhurst College. The 7-6 win improved
the Tornados’ record to 5-1 and gave BC a
series win against the Lakers.
On Saturday, the Tornados split a double-
header against Mercyhurst. After dropping
the first game 6-5, the Tornados were able
to bounce back with a 12-9 win in the night
cap setting the scene for Sunday’s clash.
After falling behind in the first inning, the
Tornados scored two in the bottom of the
first to take a 2-1 lead. The Lakers tied the
game up in the top of the second and took
a lead with a four run fifth iiming forcing
junior starting pitcher Shane Galloway
out of the game. The bullpen, however,
stopped the bleeding, shutting down the
Lakers offense the rest of the way.
Trailing 6-2 entering the eighth inning,
the Tornados bats came alive putting two
runs across in the bottom of the iiming to
cut the lead to 6-4. After sophomore Luke
Smithson (1-0) retired the side in order in
the top of the inning, the Tornados loaded
the bases with two outs. A bases-loaded
walk to senior Brice Warner drove in one
run and on the following at-bat Pmitt ended
the game with his walk-off single.
The Tornados return to action on Thurs
day with a game at Erskine before returning
home to open their conference season with
a 3 game series against Newberry this Sat
urday and Sunday. The double-header on
Saturday begins at high noon, with a single
game to follow on Sunday with first pitch
scheduled for 1 p.m.
Softball: Tornados snakebite Cobras
by Johnny "Stats" Lange
Sports Editor
The Brevard College softball team started
off their season in fine fashion, sweeping
Virginia Intermont last week.
After wiiming their opening two games
in Bristol, Virginia, the Tornados were able
repeat the feat on Sunday afternoon, win
ning both ends of the double header
In the season opener, junior Jeimifer Gift
surrendered three unearned runs in the bot
tom of the first, but calmed down, giving
up only five hits the rest of the game while
striking out seven to get the complete game
win. The Tornados answered the early 3-3
tie with a mn in the third inning, three runs
in the fourth and another single run in the
sixth iiming to win 8-3. Junior Kristina
Clayton went 4-5 on the game while fresh
man Chelsi Mallory crossed the plate four
times in the win.
In the second game, junior Liz Houser
pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout
as the Tornados blasted the Cobras 14-0.
The game was shortened to five innings
because of the NAIA 8-run rule.
On Sunday, the Cobras travelled to Bre
vard, yet the results followed the same pat
tern despite the change of venue. In game
one. Gift picked up her second win while
hurhng a complete game five-hit shutout.
Mallory continued her early offensive suc
cess going 4-4 with a double and scoring
two run.
In the nightcap, Houser improved her
record to 2-0 giving up only two unearned
runs and five hits, in a 4-2 Tornado win.
Clayton went 3-4 with an RBI and a run
scored to lead the Tornados offensively
again.
BC softball returns to action today with
a double-header against North Greenville
University. First pitch is scheduled for 2
p.m.
Hoops; Tornados hold off Carson-Newman
by Johnny "Stats" Lange
Sports Editor
In a must win game, the Brevard College
men’s basketball team was able defeated
Carson-Newman 101-97 in overtime to
keep their chances alive for a berth in the
South Atlantic Conference Tournament.
The win improves the Tornados record to
12-12 overall and 3-10 in the SAC.
Coming out of halftime with a 15 point
lead, the Tornados saw the Eagles come
back to hold a three point lead with under
a minute to go. However, a three-pointer
by senior Joseph Chilton with 10.7 seconds
remaining forced overtime. In the extra
period, Chilton put in eight more points,
and clutch shooting was able to bring home
the victory.
Junior Jonathan Whitson led all scorers
with 30 points along with 11 rebounds,
and five other Tornados scored in double
figures. Junior Sam Carlisle, along with
Whitson, recorded a double-double scor
ing 11 points and snatching down 12
rebounds.
On the night the Tornados shot a scorch
ing 71.4% from three-point land to aid the
victory. The Tornados return to action at
home on Saturday against Tusculum Col
lege. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
photo by B. Seaman
Sam Carlisle finishes around the rim during
Wednesday's 101-97 win over Carson-
Newman at the "Think Pink" basketball game
to benefit the Kay Yow Foundation.