Diamond Gents Bend but Hold on for Road 3-2 Win against Millsaps

JACKSON, Miss. – After taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth, the Diamond Gents' pitchers made it interesting in the final innings, but Centenary (3-2) made the lead hold up in a 3-2 win at Millsaps (1-2) Tuesday afternoon, February 12.

With Centenary holding a slim 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth, the Majors loaded the bases with one out. However, sophomore Joshua Gatewood induced a groundball to third to get a force out at home. A groundout back to the mound gave Gatewood his first collegiate save of his career.

After Millsaps scored an unearned ­­in the bottom of the first, Centenary struck for a pair of runs in the third. Senior Andrew Russell led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed to second. Junior Cody Crowder followed with an RBI single and moved up to second on the throw home. He then stole third and scored on Preston Ludwick's sacrifice fly.

A single by Millsaps' Brennan Ducote and an RBI double by Jimmy Fondren tied the game at two in the bottom of the fifth, but Centenary manufactured the winning run. With two outs and one on base, senior Cameron Guin moved up on a wild pitch and stole third on freshman Jake Ryan's walk. Ryan stole second, and Millsaps meant to cut the ball off on a throw down, but an errant throw allowed Guin to score what would be the winning run.

Russell led the Gents offensively with three hits in as many at-bats and a run scored. Senior Kyle Barron (2-0) picked up his second collegiate win in relief, allowing two hits and two walks with one earned run in an inning pitched.

The Majors threatened with a pair of base runners in each of the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings before the Gents allowed the bases loaded in the ninth, but Millsaps could not plate the tying run.

Centenary returns to action at Shehee Stadium on Saturday, February 16, at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader against La Verne. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.­