Rust Splits Twin Bill at Southeastern Baptist

LAUREL, Miss. – The Rust College baseball program suffered an unfortunate defeat in the opener as the Chargers walked off the Cats, 8-7, but the visitors from Holly Springs took out their anger in the nightcap, pummeling Southeastern Baptist 18-5 before darkness forced an early end after six.

The Basics:

• Score (Game 1 – 7 Innings)
• • Southeastern Baptist – 8
  • Rust – 7
    

• Score (Game 2 – 6 Innings)
• • Rust – 18
  • Southeastern Baptist – 5

• Records
• • Rust (3-15, 1-2 Gulf Coast)
  • Southeastern Baptist (5-7, 0-0 NCCAA)

• Location
• • Laurel, Mississippi – AW Watson Field

• Series History (Since 2022)
• • Series Tied 3-3 (50%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2022)
• • Rust (W1) | Southeastern Baptist's Last Win: March 2, 2024 (8-7)

Rust Top Performers:

• Malik Berrien co-led the Blue and White for batting average among those who played both games, hitting .571 (4-for-7) with nearly half of the team's 11 stolen bases (5-of-11, 45.5%), a tied for club-high five runs scored, three ribbies, plus a double.

• The other leader in the average clubhouse was JaShaun Franks as he provided the boom stick, launching a home run in each contest en route to his Bearcat-best six RBIs, five scores, four base knocks (4-for-7, .571), and a ludicrous 1.429 slugging percentage.

• Valentin Jaquez IV came within one out of pitching a complete game shutout . . . in relief, entering the game after five runs had already crossed in the first and immobilized the Chargers, going 5.2 frames of scoreless, walk-less, ball including more strikeouts (4) than baserunners allowed (3).

• William Baker was the lone hurler in game one to not give up runs, registering five outs with just one player reaching safely.

• The trio of Brent Jackson, Matthew LeBlanc, and Christian Hill went 8-of-15 (.533) on top of six scores, three runs batted in and steals, a pair of doubles, and a single walk.
  

Next:

• The Baseball Bearcats will head to the Magnolia State capital for a date with the Blue Bengals of Jackson State at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

#BatesBall | #PawsUp