Walk-offs lift Buffs in pair of wins
Garrett Goldberg drove in the game winning run in the first game before scoring the game winning run in the second game as the Milligan College baseball team won two times in thrilling fashion Sunday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Milligan defeated Thomas More University 6-5 then University of Rio Grande 4-3 in eight innings, both via walk-off.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2020) – Garrett Goldberg drove in the game winning run in the first game before scoring the game winning run in the second game as the Milligan College baseball team won two times in thrilling fashion Sunday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Milligan defeated Thomas More University 6-5 then University of Rio Grande 4-3 in eight innings, both via walk-off.
The latter win followed a strong pitching effort by starter Brandon Marello, who struck out eight over six innings only allowing two hits and one earned run. Milligan finished the second annual Clash of Conferences tournament undefeated at 3-0.
Game One| Milligan 6, Thomas More 5
The Buffs needed a rally in the final frame of their first game of the day, and they got one thanks to timely hitting. Will Findley started the inning with a leadoff walk then moved to second on a Kirby Smith sacrifice bunt. Richard Polinsky proceeded to double Findley home to tie the game at 5-5, and Goldberg followed moments later with a flare to right field that scored Polinsky for the winning run.
Polinsky went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Goldberg was 2-for-4 with two RBI's.
Jack Bembry picked up the win after pitching the final 4 1/3 innings with only three hits and three runs.
Game Two | Milligan 4, Rio Grande 3
It only took two infield hits sandwiching a wild pitch for the Buffs to walk off in their second game of the day and final game of the tournament. Goldberg started it with a single up the middle that was stopped by Rio shortstop II-Zadod Gabriel before it could reach the outfield. Moments later, Goldberg came around to score when a similar play saw Ben Grable's single to second carom off a diving second baseman and into shallow center field, scoring the winning run.
Four Buffs earned multiple hits in the game, led by Blake Dutton who went 3-for-3. Cameron Bryson picked up the win after displaying similar success to Marello's start. Bryson went the last two innings allowing only one hit and no walks in a scoreless effort. He struck out four.
Tourney numbers
Four of the top five hitters represented Milligan. Dutton led the weekend, which included three games, with a 7-for-8 effort. Grable batted .625, Polinsky .500, and Goldberg .444. Brock Browning, who pitched a shutout in Saturday morning's win, and Marello were among the top three pitchers this weekend for earned run average.
Up next
Pending weather, Milligan plays at home on Anglin Field against Alice Lloyd College on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The Buffs will also be home next weekend for a four-game set against Indiana South Bend.