Wednesday, May 25, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Second-seeded Jacksonville used a complete-game gem by Matthew Tomshaw and a two-run double by Dan Gulbransen to edge fifth-seeded ETSU, 2-1, in the opening day of the Atlantic Sun Baseball Championship on Wednesday at Lipscomb’s Dugan Field.

It was not the sort of game expected from two teams who like to score. Entering the game, Jacksonville and Mercer shared the lead in the A-Sun for the most runs scored (435) in the league while ETSU was not far behind (385). The game lasted just 2:07 and the 2-1 final score represented the fewest runs scored in an A-Sun Championship game since Stetson defeated Mercer 2-1 in 2007.

The pitching played a big part as Tomshaw (9-3) went the distance, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Two of those hits came in the ninth inning. The left-hander allowed consecutive singles with two outs but then induced a weak grounder back to the mound for the third out.

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ETSU’s John Long delivered a strong effort as well, giving up just two runs and five hits in six innings of work. But the right-hander couldn’t get out of a jam in the fifth. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the inning, Long (6-6) retired the next two batters. But on a 2-2 pitch to Gulbransen, the All-Conference outfielder took the pitch to the opposite field for a double that found the left-center gap and rolled all the way to the wall to score both runners. His double accounted for the only extra-base hit of the game.

This scoring came a half an inning after the Buccaneers (36-20) scored the first run of the game. With two outs, Cory Betterson walked and then stole second. Derek Niesman hit a hard grounder to Jacksonville shortstop Jimmy Howick, but the ball deflected off his glove and into left field, allowing Betterson to score on the error. Dak Rissman kept ETSU in it as he allowed just one baserunner in two innings of relief.

Jacksonville’s eighth hitter, Alex Swenson, led the Dolphins with two hits while Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Adam Brett Walker went 1-for-3 with a walk. Matthew Scruggs had two hits for ETSU.

Jacksonville (35-20) will play at 7 p.m. CT Thursday and will face the winner of Wednesday’s night cap between Kennesaw State and Mercer. ETSU will play top-seeded Stetson in an elimination game at 11 a.m. Thursday.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts five of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.