Righty Jesse Simpson tossed a complete game five-hitter and Jeremie Tice belted a pair of homers as the College of Charleston edged Western Carolina, 5-4, in Game 1 of the Bennett Hofford Southern Conference Baseball Championship at Joe Riley Park on Wednesday.
With the win, the Cougars improved to 37-19 on the season. The Cougars take on Furman, a 10-8 winner over App. State, at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Western Carolina fell to 29-27.
"Coming into this tournament the difference for us was going to be pitching", said Charleston coach John Pawlowski. "Jesse (Simpson) did a tremendous job for us today and anytime you get a complete game in a tournament it's going to set you up well for the rest of the week.”
Simpson, who made 128 pitches, retired the final 13 batters en route to improving to 9-2 on the season. He allowed four runs, none earned, with five strikeouts.
Simpson did not allow a base runner after J.C. Lyons gave Western Carolina a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning with a two-out, three-run homer to left, his 13th of the season.
"Early on I was pressing a little and ended up walking a few," added Simpson. "I was able to settle down and with Tice hitting the ball like he is, playing with a lead is always easier.”
Tice, who earlier in the week was named the SoCon's Player of the Year, collected his fourth multiple homer game in the past five contests. Tice homered leading off the second and lined a homer to right center leading off the fifth that tied the game at 4-all. Tice, who has nine homers in the last five games, leads the nation with 81 runs batted in.
Joey Bergman, who had three hits, followed Tice's fifth inning homer with a double to center. Bergman raced home on Mike Hentz's RBI single to center that gave Charleston a 5-4 lead.
Charleston's Brandon Sizemore led off the third with his 19th homer of the season that stretched the Cougars' lead to 3-0.
Mike Tavernier (4-5) suffered the loss surrendering five runs on 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tailgate with the Cougar Club & Cheer on Your Cougars Tomorrow at the SoCon Baseball Tournament, May 22, 2008!
The Cougars next game in the tournament will be tomorrow, May 22, at 5:00 PM, where they'll face the winner of the Appalachian State vs. Furman game.
The Cougar Club WILL host a tailgate party tomorrow in the parking lot next to the ballpark. The tailgate will be from 3:30 - 5:00 PM. The tailgate is open to all Cougar Fans! We hope to see you out there tomorrow.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are available for purchase at The Citadel Ticket Office or at the box office located at Riley Park.
* All Tournament Pass: $30
* Single Day Pass: $10
The Citadel Ticket Office
Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Phone: (843) 953-3647
