Truman Rallies To Down Lincoln 8-7 In Non-Conference Action

Truman 8, Lincoln 7 || Box Score

2014 Schedule || 2014 Season Stats || Truman Record: 13-17 (8-10 GLVC)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Zak Larkin's two-out, two-run single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning capped off a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate and propelled the Truman Baseball team to a come-from-behind 8-7 victory over the Lincoln (Mo.) University Blue Tigers on Tuesday.

Larkin drove in four of the eight runs on the day and added two more stolen bases to close to within six of the Bulldog career record of 51 steals.

Will Nader got Truman's first hit in the third inning on a bunt single and Larkin followed with a first-pitch hit up the middle. Both moved up on a double-steal and Corban Williams drove them home with a liner to center.

Sam Reuter had allowed one hit through four innings for the Bulldogs but ran into difficulties in the fifth. Back-to-back singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no outs and Zack Roberts singled in the tying runs on a hit to left. Gatlin Wiggans hit a ground ball to short that Roberts did an excellent job of blocking out Blake Deaton causing the Truman shortstop to misplay the ball and Roberts scored from second to give Lincoln the lead.

After a pitching change, Josh Kennedy took Austin Olendorff's first pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homer and a 6-2 Blue Tigers lead.

Larkin led off the bottom of the inning with a walk and Williams doubled him in as Truman got a run back in the fifth.

Truman loaded the bases to start the sixth and Nader executed a perfect bunt with Deaton racing down the line to beat the force play at the plate for the first run of the inning. Larkin then singled on a 1-0 pitch to center to tie the game at six. The Bulldogs left runners at second and third as the two, three and four hitters in the lineup were retired in order.

Craig Jones got a clutch two-out RBI to score Ben Stewart from second in the top of the seventh to put Lincoln back on top 7-6.

In Truman's half, Chris Zrostlik drew a leadoff walk, Deaton singled to right and TJ Wood beat out a perfect bunt to load the bases again with no outs.

Adam Bainbridge hit a shot to first that was snared by Kaleb Davis at first base and Nader struck out swinging. Larkin delivered for Truman with a single up the middle scoring Zrostlik and Deaton to give Truman the 8-7 lead.

Chris Allard came in and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn his fifth career save and first of the season. Tyler Spencer got the win in relief of Olendorff and Reuter to notch his second win of the season.

Zack York falls to 0-5 as he was tagged with the loss in relief. Wiggans started the game and went four innings, walking four and allowing six hits. Truman tagged York for six hits as well.

Truman returns to conference action with a weekend series at Maryville (Mo.) University beginning at Saturday at noon in St. Louis.

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