It took more than four hours and a pile of unbelievable statistics, but the top-ranked UAH Chargers fought off their first two game losing streak by knocking off West Florida 15-10 in the rubber game of the Gulf South Conference opening series for both teams.
The Chargers improved to 19-3 and 2-1 in the GSC with the win, while West Florida fell to 14-14 and 1-2.
The game was a mess. Eleven pitchers took the mound. There were nine errors, eight by the Argonauts. There were 25 hits in the game and the two teams sent much of their rosters into battle.
When the smoke cleared Philip Donaldson (3-0) had earned his third win out of the bullpen. He was the fourth pitcher to see action in the game for UAH. Meanwhile, Ben Cannington would be the unlucky loser for West Florida. He was the sixth hurler to take the mound for the Argos.
Donaldson pitched an inning and two-thirds, gave up a run on three hits and he struck out three. Cannington didn't give up any hits, but he hit two batters and they both scored in a decisive five-run eighth inning.
It looked bleek early for the home team. West Florida built a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the second inning. However, the Chargers got back in the game with three runs aided by two Argo errors, cutting the lead to 4-3.
UAH trailed 6-3, but a four-run fourth inning gave the Chargers their first lead of the game at 7-6. The Chargers cranked out five hits and the Argos had another big error in the inning.
In the fifth, the Chargers added four more runs to give themselves a 10-6 cushion. Charger pitcher Wes Mindingall seemed to have things under control over the next two-plus innings. Then, in the eighth inning, the Argos loaded the bases on Mindingall with one out.
After striking out the first batter, Donaldson was lit up by Josey Shannon for a grand slam. The blast stunned the Charger fans and tied the game at 10-all. Donaldson struck out the next West Florida batter to get out of the inning.
In the eighth inning, the Argos' defense betrayed them again to the tune of three more errors. The Chargers plated five unearned runs to put the game away.
Donaldson not only got the win, but he was 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, a stolen base, two RBIs and two runs scored. Wes Long had a pair of hits, including a triple, an RBI and he scored four times. Justin Barnes and Andy Evans had two hits apiece. Barnes had two RBIs for the Chargers.
Boxscore
Next Game: vs. Delta State, Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. at Joe Davis Stadium. The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on LiveOnTheNet.com.
College Baseball News Division II Poll Top 25 (3/12/01)
Division II Top 25 Poll
