Badger News

The Spring Hill College baseball team saw its 5-game winning streak snapped on Friday evening when Kurtis Mancauskas of Thomas University (Ga.) pitched the visiting Night Hawks to a 5-3 win over the Badgers.

Mancauskas (2-1) pitched a complete game and surrendered nine hits to the Badgers with seven strikeouts and just one walk.  He was staggered in the 6th inning when SHC first baseman Brad Holstein connected on a 3-run bomb to left that cut the Night Hawk lead to 4-3.  The Badgers then looked to blow the game open later in the same frame by loading the bases, but Mancaukas coaxed second baseman Pat O'Malley into tapping a grounder to third to end the threat.

Spring Hill (10-3) put the tying run on third with one out in the 7th inning, but a fly ball to shallow right by right fielder Blake Nelson and a strikeout by Holstein killed the Badger rally.

Night Hawk leadoff man Tyler Davis enjoyed a 2-hit night with a double and a solo homerun along with three runs scored.  Drew Johnson also had two hits for Thomas (8-5) with an RBI double in the 5th inning.  Catcher Rick Howroyd was 3-for-5 with two RBI and designated hitter Randy Adams also tallied two singles.

For the Badgers, centerfielder Ryan Hall, left fielder Andy McCall and catcher Fred Rossi each had two hits.

David Dupuy (2-1) went six strong innings in the loss giving up three earned runs off eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.  Freshman Lawrence Truck closed the game with three solid innings, allowing one run off three hits, a strikeout and a walk.

Spring Hill (10-3) will look to avenge the loss on Saturday when the two schools meet for a doubleheader on Stan Galle Field beginning at 1 p.m.