Sunday, April 10, 2016

Sims Wins No. 850 as Badgers Sweep Lemoyne-Owen in DH

SHC head coach Frank Sims now holds an 850-831-3 career record
Courtesy Spring Hill College Athletics
MOBILE, Alabama -- The Spring Hill College (SHC) baseball team swept a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) doubleheader away from the LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) Magicians by the scores of 23-0 and 14-8 at historic Stan Galle Field to hand head coach Frank Sims his 850th career victory.

In the first game, Badger starter Wesley Parrish (6-3) benefitted from a 14-run outburst by his offense in the 4th inning as the senior right-hander cruised to his fourth complete game and his first solo shutout of the season. Parrish allowed just two hits with a walk and nine strike outs.

Dexwin Thompson took the loss for LOC in 3.0 innings with nine hits, three walks and three strike outs. Thompson and his relief, Lawerence Baker, added to their own troubles by hitting a combined nine SHC batters in the game.

At the plate, Garrett Webb enjoyed a 3-for-4 day with a double and an RBI while first baseman Michael Druhan was also 3-for-4 with an RBI. Catcher Alex Jones mashed a three-run homer in the 1st inning and finished the game with two hits and six RBI. Right fielder Ulysses Fluellen picked up two doubles and three RBI as SHC recorded its most runs of the year and tied the team's season high-water mark with 19 hits.

The second game saw the Badgers jump out to a 14-1 lead after five innings, but the Magicians rallied to score seven runs in the 6th frame before reliever Andrew Pierson came in to put out the fire. Starter Dylan Kiene (6-2) was the winner in five innings of work with four hits, a walk and a strike out.

Tyrus Asberry took the loss in the nightcap in four innings with nine hits, two walks and no strike outs while the LOC defense committed seven errors in the field.

William Floros cranked his third home run year while Druhan ripped his ninth dinger of the campaign. Fluellen added a double and a triple with two RBI to his day's totals while catcher Brennan Fontenot had a single and a double with one RBI.

For LOC, center fielder Tyrone Gaston had two hits in the twin bill while second baseman Robert Sheard lifted a three-run home run in the second game. First baseman Cameron Haynes also connected for two doubles in the nightcap.

Following the game, the Badger players rewarded Sims on his 850th career victory (814 coming at SHC) with an ice-water soaking courtesy the team's PowerAid cooler. "It all in good fun," Sims said. "In reality, it's more their achievement than mine. It's a testament to all of the great student-athletes I've coached here at Spring Hill over the past 30 years. They have to go out and do the things it takes to win."

The Badgers (21-14, 12-2 SIAC) will again host the Magicians (2-24, 2-8 SIAC) on Saturday in a conference doubleheader beginning at noon.

COURTESY SPRING HILL COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

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