Fuentes Earns Complete Game, Braves Defeat Texas Southern 5-4 on Day One of SWAC Tournament

COURTESY ALCORN STATE ATHLETICS

NEW ORLEANS   -- What more can you say about senior pitcher Ryan Fuentes after striking out the final batter to pick up the victory for the Braves.  Fuentes struck out six batters and threw 152 pitches as the Braves survive day one of the 2014 SWAC Baseball Tournament with a 5-4 win over Texas Southern.

The Braves got behind 2-0 after Texas Southern scored a run in the second and fourth innings on a few defensive mistakes.

But in the sixth inning the Braves finally woke up.  Edagardo Salas, who made some outstanding defensive plays today, led off with a single up the middle.  Scottie Peavey stepped up next and hit a double to right center field to advance Salas to third.  Earl Burl hit a sacrifice fly to score Salas making the score 2-1.

After Christian Hickman was intentionally walked, sophomore Ashton Lewis hit a double down the left field line to score Peavey and Hickman giving the Braves the lead 3-2.

The Braves would hold their lead until the bottom of the ninth inning.  With only one out away from the win, the Braves allowed Tigers to tie the game on a bobbled ball by right fielder Earl Burl.

Moses Charles struck out to lead off in the 10th inning.  Salas stepped in and hit a single to center field.  Peavey collected his 3rd double of the game hitting a double down the left field line and Salas scored all the way from first base to give the Braves a 4-3 lead.  Brandon Vega came in to pinch run for Peavey and scored on a passed ball to extend the Braves lead to 5-3.

The Braves would end the inning on a groundout by Hickman.  In the bottom of the 10th inning, Texas Southern led off with a single by Zach Welz.  Next Robert Garza was hit by a pitch.  Two batters later, the Tigers would score on a RBI single.  Shaquille Cockrell made a great play at third base to pick up the second out.  Sayvon O'neal came in to pinch hit for the Tigers and face Fuents.  Fuentes won the battle striking out O'Neal to give the Braves the victory.

The Braves will play tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. and face the winner between Alabama State and Grambling State.

Box Score   

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