Daron Bowling

Maroon Tigers, Panthers Split Doubleheader

File photo of Daron Bowling
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 April 22, 2017 -- ATLANTA -- The Maroon Tigers split a doubleheader with cross-campus rival, the Clark Atlanta Panthers. CAU won the first game, 24-4, and Morehouse took the second, 5-4. 

Game One:
The Clark Atlanta Panthers jumped on starting pitcher Jason Davis for four unearned runs in the first inning then exploded for 10 runs off each of two Morehouse relievers.

Morehouse collected nine hits and four earned runs off Panther starter Anthony Nettles, who went the distance and improved to 3-7. 

In the second inning, left fielder Jared Maner led off with a double down the third base line. First baseman Xavier Floyd walked and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Kristopher Skinner. Right fielder Michael Broadus drove in both runners with a double to right center field. 

The Panthers added two runs in the third on a single, error, sacrifice bunt, walk and a fielder's choice.

Morehouse bounced back with two runs in the third, on three hits and a walk. Second baseman Werten Bellamy singled to center field, designated hitter Kalean Ashford-Jones singled to right field, Jared Maner walked and Xavier Floyd drove in two runs with a single to left field, to bring the score to 6-4.

After that, it was all Panthers, who pounded out 13 hits, including two grand slams by center fielder Raphael Andrades. 

Grant Bennett who replaced Davis on the mound in the first inning, went two-and-a-third innings and gave up three hits, 10 runs and four walks. Bennett gave way to Keon Cusic, who went the final four innings. Cusic surrendered eight hits, 10 runs and three walks. 

Morehouse committed eight errors and stranded seven base runners. 

Game Two:
Unlike the first game blowout, game two was a completely different ball game -- close, low scoring and gritty. 

Left-hander Daron Bowling pitched one of the finest game of his career and notched his first win of the season. Bowling, a junior from Cincinnati, threw five scoreless innings, before running into trouble in the sixth.

In the sixth, Bowling gave up three runs, on four walks, two singles and a balk. Along the way, he also made three excellent fielding plays on balls hit back up the middle. On one of the plays in the sixth, he turned his ankle, but was able to finish the inning and retire the side, with the score at 3-3.

Morehouse rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth, to break the game open.  

Jason Davis and Michael Broadus walked. Christian Watts reached on a fielder's choice, Davis scored and Broadus was out at second. Amyr Smith pinch-ran for Watts, advanced to second on a balk and moved to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Bryan Armstead, Werten Bellamy singled to right field and Smith scored, to put Morehouse up 5-3. 

Bowling limped back out to the mound in the seventh, but his injured ankle forced him to give way to reliever Kristopher Skinner who finished the game and recorded the save. 

Morehouse had gotten on the scoreboard first, in the second inning. Center fielder Davis walked and rounded the bases when a hot grounder to third by right fielder Michael Broadus got past the third baseman and bounded into foul territory.

The Maroon Tigers scored a run in the fourth inning. Two Morehouse hits and a walk chased Panther pitcher Ryan Betts. Betts was replaced on the mound by Dillon Stafford who used to play for Morehouse. 

The teams will play a single nine-inning game, Sunday, at 1 p.m.  
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