2008 Woodie Awards
Bears split doubleheader against Patriots
Jordan Freemyer
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Sports
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Dallas Baptist took the first game, 12-5, and the Bears came back in the nightcap in a seven-inning affair, 10-1.
Bears senior first baseman Chad Murray had four RBIs on the day, including a two-run double that keyed an eight run first inning for the Bears in game two.
"It was really good to come out in that first inning against them and start strong, especially after they got that first game," Murray said.
The Bears started strong in game one, jumping out to a 3-0 lead through four innings on Murray's first two-run double of the day and an RBI ground out by junior catcher Mike Raudenbush against DBU starter Victor Black.
The Patriots answered with two runs each in the fifth and seventh innings against Bears senior starting pitcher Chris Reap. The Bears then left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh against DBU reliever Jared Stafford.
"We had an opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning to take charge of the game, but we did not take charge of the game," UNC coach Kevin Smallcomb said.
The Bears came back and took control of game two from the first inning, scoring eight in the first inning.
After that, senior starting pitcher Jon Klausing took control, throwing his second complete game of the season, allowing just one run and striking out seven.
"It was just good to go out there and get a win with my team behind me," Klausing said. "We made all the plays we needed to."
The effort by Klausing was especially big, because of the heavy workload of the Bears' bullpen and the fact that the Bears have five games in the upcoming week.
"He's a horse, coming out and pitching like that is exactly what we needed," Murray said of Klausing.
Smallcomb said that it was big for the Bears to come back after the disappointing loss in game one and take control of game two early.
"I'll tell you, that's a very good Dallas Baptist team, so I was really happy that we bounced right back," Smallcomb said.
The Bears will continue their eight-game homestand on Monday and Tuesday against Brigham Young University.
The Cougars are 16-26 overall on the season and are 6-9 in the Mountain West Conference. However, they have lost nine of their last 11 games and are coming off a series loss to Air Force.
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