Brown Wins Fall Series Behind Solid Pitching and Defense

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Brown squad won in dramatic fashion, 3-2, Oct. 22 at Hyames Field to win the annual Brown & Gold Series 2-0. David Brennan got the start for the Brown and tossed three innings,  allowing two hits and one run. He was relieved by sophomore Adam Jones who went four innings two hits and one run as well.

Gold had several chances to force a game three but was unable to capitalize on multiple offensive opportunities including two bases-loaded situations, including one with no one out and the other with only one out.

The seventh inning brought all of the suspense as Jones issued a leadoff walk to Hunter Prince to start the bottom half of the seventh and final inning with the Gold trailing, 3-2. It was the third walk issued by Jones but he was aided by solid defense when Dan Shutes lifted a shallow fly ball to center field and sophomore Jordan Tillman threw out freshman Brandon Cable at the plate to end the game and the series.

The Brown was led offensively by senior Patrick Duncan and freshman Kurt Hoekstra both going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Junior Steve Buglione was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Shutes, Cable and Jared Kujawa each posted two hits for the Gold team while Prince was 1-for-2 with two walks and a two runs scored.

Senior Casey Hall tossed four solid innings for the Gold giving up one run on four hits, two walks and one strike out. Freshman Gabe Berman tossed a scoreless seventh for the Gold recording two strikeouts.

"We have had two close ball games and we will have many in the spring," said Bronco head coach Billy Gernon. "Our guys are beginning to understand as well as execute a high level of fundamental baseball. We all have to take it to another level of focus and execution if we want to achieve the goals set forth for the program. The leadership and character that is in our locker room is ready for the challenge."