Conference play can make or break a teams season and it is certainly making the Cougars season. After a tough start to the 2018 campaign, The Cougars have compiled a 7-2 record against conference play.
After a ten-game losing streak, that saw their record fall to 5-14 to start the year, the Cougars are rolling. The Cougars have fought back to improve their record to 12-16 and put them back into contention.
The easiest way to get back into contention is to never play down to your competition. The Cougars did exactly that, as they swept a series against Trinity International University, a team who has not won a single game all season.
Game one was a close affair at Ferrell Field. The Cougars would strike early as right fielder Cameron Powell would knock in two runs after a double to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead after the bottom of the 1st inning.
The Cougars would continue to plate runs across early in the ballgame. After already scoring one run, after Garret Bright scored from a Ben Zordani double play, third baseman Matt Monahan would double with two outs to put a runner in scoring position. Powell would duplicate his first inning and double to drive in Monahan. Two more runs for the Cougars would come across.
The big inning would happen in the fourth as the four Cougar runs would come across. Garrett Bright would single to drive in Griffin Bright, Zordani would add in another RBI, and Monahan would drive in two more after another double. Cougars would double their lead.
Starting Pitcher Tim Brokop would do his part, pitching a gem. Brokop went seven innings, giving up six hits, no runs, no walks, and eight strikeouts.
After Brokop cam out of the game, Trinity International would put up a fight in the final frame. After two Cougar errors, Lincoln International would score six runs, before closer Erik Eggert came in and collected his seventh save of the season.
After the 8-6 victory, the next two games of the season wouldn’t come close to replicate that score. The Cougars would dominate the remaining series.
In game two of the series, the Cougars would jump out to a commanding 7-0 lead after a big second inning. With a 2-0 lead shortstop Agustin Guerrero would double in three runs and DH Jack Gainer would hit a two-run homer for more runs.
Guerrero and Gainer would each tally another RBI apiece, while centerfielder Drey Devereaux would drive in four runs himself. Deveraux would pick up most of those runs after a three run double in the 6th inning.
Starting pitcher Logan Demato would pick up the win after pitching six innings and striking out five. The pitching didn’t have to do much as the Cougars would score 17 runs for the domination victory.
The last game of the series would be an unforgettable game for two reasons. First, the Cougars would score a whopping 25 runs. While starting pitcher Tyler Hebel threw a no hitter in the blowout victory.
Powell, Gainer, and Guerrero would continue their strong series, each hitting home runs and driving in multiple runs. Each hitter who started the game for the Cougars would collect at least one hit and one RBI.
If scoring 25 runs wasn’t enough, Hebel’s no hitter would be another tip of the cap on a great series for the Cougars.
Hebel would pitch five innings and only walking one hitter. Hebel’s no hitter would be truly something he will never forget.
After a rocky start to the season, The Cougars look to be back on pace to be a force this season. The beginning of the season saw the Cougars struggle on defense and on the road.
Coming home to Ferrell Field has been a blessing for the Cougars. After a 2-5 record on the road and a 5-11 records on neutral sites, the Cougars are undefeated at home this season.
The defense, which was shaky to begin the year, has also gotten better. The players have brushed off the rust that plagued them at the start of the season.
The Cougars would look to continue their home dominance as Judson travels to Ferrell Field for a two game series.
Dominic Pellegrini
Sports Reporter