Hot Start Not Enough

MONMOUTH, IL -- The Blackburn College Baseball team scored six runs through the first two innings but it ended up not being enough as Monmouth College had a big eighth winning on their way to defeat the Beavers 12-7 in nonconference action. 

Senior Zach Knox tallied three hits to led the way while sophomores Harley Carney and Brett Lander both added two. Carney, senior Jason Hedges and junior Andrew Lozano each scored two runs with Knox chipping in with one. 

Hedges opened the game by reaching first on an error then advanced to third on a Carney single. Carney soon stole second where a throwing error let Hedges get Blackburn on the board with a run. The Beavers soon had bases loaded after Lozano walked and Knox singled. Gleaves took advantage by hitting a double to score Carney and Lozano. Lander followed with another BC single to score Knox. 

With a 4-0 leading heading into the second. Hedges again started the inning by getting on base, this time with a single. After a Lozano walk, the pair advanced on a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position. During Knox's next at bat, Hedges scored on a throwing error by the Monmouth catcher. Knox then hit his second double to score Lozano to put the Beavers up 6-0 early. However, the Scots were able to bounce back and tie the game at 6-6 after the fifth inning. 

In the top of the sixth, Carney singled to begin the inning then stole second and advanced to third on a fly out by sophomore Andrew Garza. He then scored off another Monmouth throwing error to put Blackburn back ahead 7-6. 

Unfortunately, the Scots tied it in the bottom of the seventh and then scored five runs in the eighth to capture the 12-7 victory. 

Blackburn will return to action Saturday to visit Eureka College to open St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.