Feb. 4, 2006

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - With a team short on experience, Alabama State University baseball Coach Larry Watkins was anxious to see how his players would respond to the pressures of real game situations. The early results are in and Watkins was pleased with almost everything except the final score.

In the season opener for both teams, the Western Illinois Leathernecks held off the Hornets 9-4 at Paterson Field.

WIU got to ASU starting pitcher Cecil West (0-1) for four runs in the first two innings. The Leathernecks also picked up three runs off reliever JaMarlon Ford to stake a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning.

"After the first few innings, we played right with them," Watkins said. "Unfortunately, the damage was already done."

The Hornets mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, led by Bradley Mann's bases-loaded double which drove in three runs and cut the lead in half. Cory Dauenheimer doubled in the Hornets' other run in the sixth. But that would be all the offense ASU could muster.

"Our team showed me a lot today," Watkins said. "After a tough start, we settled down and played pretty good baseball. We learned how tough it is to play catch-up."

Watkins was particularly impressed by the pitching of ASU freshman Dequaris Reed allowed only two runs in four innings and kept the Hornets within striking distance.

"He was tremendous for us. Not only was he getting his first action at this level, but we were behind when he came in. It was a tough spot, and he gave us a chance to get back into the game."

Despite the loss, Watkins was pleased with the effort.

"We only made one error, and our defense was solid," he said. "We felt like we would be able to hit the ball and we did. For it to be the first game of the year, we did a lot of good things."

For WIU, Mike Mahon (1-0) picked up the win and Quinn Leath recorded his first save. Steve Knapp and Joe Pacyga each drove in two runs, with Pacyga striking for a home run in the third inning.

ASU and WIU wrap up their two-game series with game on Sunday. First pitch is at noon and admission is free.