MEMPHIS, Tenn.—The Truman Baseball team opened their season Saturday with a double-header at Christian Brothers, sweeping the two games 4-0 and 6-4. It was the first time that the Bulldogs have swept a doubleheader on opening day since 2015 when they won twice at Oklahoma Panhandle State. Zachry Schneider and Connor McKenna both picked up wins.
Game 1
Schneider got the nod for game one starter and threw the best game of his young career with a complete game shutout—throwing seven innings and allowing just three hits and one walk; while tallying three strikeouts. Dating back to last season, he has now won his last two starts.
Center fielder Simon Murray led off this game for the Bulldogs with walk in his first college at bat. He then stole second and then with one out Brennan Perkins singled down the left field line and though he was thrown out trying to reach second base he brought Murray in to score.
In the top of the third, second baseman Tal Dean led off with a walk and then stole second. Murray followed with a walk, and after two outs Perkins brought Dean in to score to make it 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, Holden Missey hit a solo shot with one out to make it 3-0. In the seventh with two outs, Murray drew another walk. Luke Roussel, playing in his first college game at right field, was hit by a pitch to move Murray into scoring position. Perkins then got his third RBI of the game as Murray came in to score and make it 4-0.
Game 2
Murray and Roussel led off the game with walks. With one out both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Jack Owens reached on an error, which drove both runners in to score and make it 2-0. In the bottom of the inning CBU got both runs back with a two run shot to even the game.
Murray led off the top of the third with another walk. Roussel then recorded his first college hit with a double down the right field line, moving Murray to third. Perkins followed with his fourth RBI of the day with a single to right to bring Murray in. Owens followed with a sac fly to bring Roussel in and make it 4-2 Bulldogs. Truman threatened again in the top of the fourth as Will Fromm led off with a single and moved to third after a pair of wild pitches, but was unable to be brought in.
In the top of the fifth, Perkins reached after being hit by a pitch with two outs. Owens singled to second, moving Perkins to second base. Missey hit a triple to right center which brought in both runners and made it 6-2 Bulldogs. A pop up ended the inning with Missey left on third base.
In the bottom of the sixth, Luke Wilson made his Bulldog debut in relief of McKenna, who went five innings with just four hits allowed and allowed two runs, one earned. Wilson got one out before being relieved by Tucker Olson, who allowed a run to come in on a fielder's choice, which was charged to Wilson. But Olson got two outs and kept the game at 6-3. Missey moved from first base to the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning, seeking his first save of the year. He allowed a leadoff walk and then a double to have runners in scoring position with nobody out. After an RBI groundout made it 6-4, Missey got a strikeout and a groundout to save the game.
The Bulldogs will be back for two more seven inning games with CBU tomorrow, starting at noon.
