ETTRICK, VA – The cold streak continues for the Trojans as they took losses in both matchups on day one of their four-game series against Mansfield. The Mountaineers beat the Trojans soundly, 1-7, in the first game of the series. The Trojans were able to put up more of a fight in the second game but still lost 2-5 in game two.
Game 1
The Mountaineers got off to a fast start in the top of the first inning as the first two baserunners came around to score on an error by the right fielder of the Trojans. MU added another run as their baserunner tagged up from third on a fly ball to left field to make the score 3-0 in the top of the first inning. MU would add to their run total in the top of the second inning after their baserunner on third tagged up on a line drive to left field. The score was 4-0 in favor of Mansfield heading into the bottom of the second inning. The Trojans found life in the bottom third inning as
Tahraun Hammond singled into right field which allowed
Kevon Wharton to score from third. VSU was able to cut the MU lead down to 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning. The Mountaineers would go on to answer back in the top of the fourth inning as the Mountaineers had a run come in to score on a passed ball. The next at-bat, the visitors singled into right field to make the score 6-1. The Mountaineers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning as a run came into score on a fly ball to center field to make the final score 7-1.
Top Performers
Tahraun Hammond: 2-2, Walk, RBI
Emmett Jefferson: 1-3
Avante Banks: 1-2
John Newman: 1-1
Game 2
Mansfield scored the first run of the game in the first inning yet again as the Mountaineers tripled into right field which drove in a run. The baserunner on third base scored on a passed ball to make the score 2-0 in the top of the first inning. The Mountaineers added to their lead after a run came in off an error by the second baseman to make the score 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning. In the top of the third inning, Mansfield scored yet another run on a single into center field to go up 4-0. The Trojans were able to get rid of the goose egg in the bottom of the fifth inning as
Ricky Jones beat out a ground ball to the shortstop to score
David Johnson from third base.
Tahraun Hammond doubled into center field to score
Ricky Jones from second base to make the score 4-2. MU answered with a home run into dead center field to make the score 5-2 in the top of the sixth inning. The Trojans left a total of four runners left on base while leaving two stranded on third base in the last two innings. The Mountaineers went on to take their second win of the day, 5-2.
Top Performers
Ricky Jones: 3-4, RBI, 2 SB
Tahraun Hammond: 1-2, RBI, 2 SB
Morris Ford: 1-3
Up Next
Virginia State will be right back in front of the home crowd on Sunday, March 6 for the conclusion of the four-game series against Mansfield. First pitch for the first game is set for 1:00 p.m. while game two's first pitch will be thrown at 3:00 p.m.
