Host Jacksonville State Sweeps All Four Games Against Crimson

By Cameron Dowd, Contributing Writer March 7, 2011

JACKSONVILLE STATE 8, HARVARD 4

Harvard came out strong to start the second game by tallying three runs in the first but ended up falling to the Gamecocks, 8-4, in the second game on Friday.

Albright and sophomore Danny Moskovits started the two-out rally in the first with consecutive singles. Reynolds followed with a walk to load the bases. In the ensuing at-bat, Way walked and pushed Albright home. Right fielder Andrew Hatch continued the rally by singling in Moskovits and Reynolds.

The Crimson tallied another run in the third on a Hatch single, making the score 4-1 Harvard. Hatch had four hits and three RBIs in the game.

Jacksonville State came back in the bottom of the third inning, scoring two runs on RBI singles from junior Sam Eberle and senior Matt McLaughlin.

Franklin limited the damage by throwing out Eberle at the plate on the McLaughlin single, keeping the score in Harvard’s favor, 4-3.

The home team tied the game in the fifth on a double from freshman Coty Blanchard and took the lead for good on a fielder’s choice.

Blanchard and Segiun led the Gamecocks to victory, with Blanchard recording four hits and Seguin tallying three runs. Jacksonville State’s strong relief pitching held the Crimson scoreless over the final six innings, sealing the deal for the home team.

JACKSONVILLE STATE 6, HARVARD 1

In the first game of the series, Harvard succumbed to the solid pitching performance of senior Jordan Beistine and junior Tanner Freshour. The duo combined to give up only one unearned run and three hits.

Blanchard led the charge for the Gamecocks’ offense, scoring four runs on two hits, including a solo home run.

The Crimson only plated one run, with Moskovits scoring on a McGuiggan sacrifice fly. But Harvard could not capitalize on the rest of its chances, stranding 10 runners on base.

“There were a bunch of excuses as to why we didn’t do well,” junior Brent Suter said. “But it came down to them executing a little better and getting those extra runs. We struggled, but we still think we are fine in terms of the season. It was the first weekend. By the time we get an Ivy [game], we feel we [will] make those adjustments and eliminate those mistakes and come out on top.”