In the wake of using five pitchers in Monday's 13-11 win over California (PA), Concord Baseball head coach Kevin Garrett hoped for a long outing from starting pitcher Chastin Akers in Tuesday's matchup with West Liberty.
Akers delivered. The junior lefthander went the distance, scattering five hits -- while walking five and striking out seven -- in CU's 5-1 victory over the Hilltoppers in the Savannah Invitational in Savannah, GA.
The Mountain Lions (2-1) reached Hilltoppers' starting pitcher Donnie Platt for all the runs they would need in the top of the 1st. Keith Morrisroe led off with a walk, Donovan Huffer singled, and Greyson Schram walked to load the bases.
Brooks Cullen brought in Morrisroe with a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch from Platt scored Huffer. Two batters later, Kyle Webb drove in Schram with a grounder to short, giving CU a 3-0 lead.
West Liberty (0-6) scored its only in the bottom of the 5th. With one out, Akers walked Chris Ciatti and allowed him to reach second on a wild pitch. Greg Ashmead hit a two-out double to score Ciatti, and Drew Dunn followed by drawing a walk. But Akers recovered to strike out Derek Daugherty to end the threat.
The Mountain Lions answered promptly in the top of the 6th. Devin Smith and Kyle Webb walked, and with two outs, Julio Stehlin doubled down the leftfield line to bring them home and give CU a 5-1.
Akers retired nine of the 12 hitters he faced in the 6th, 7th and 8th, then ran into a jam in the 9th. Akers allowed a lead-off double and a two-out walk, but struck out Ashmead to secure the complete-game victory.
Akers walked five and struck out seven.
Huffer went 3-5 with a double and a run scored, raising his batting average to .643 (9-14) in Concord's first three games.
The Mountain Lions continue their Savannah Invitational schedule with another game against California (PA) on Wednesday, March 10th, at 10:00 am at Pirate Field. Concord defeated the Vulcans 13-11 on Monday.
