Barons split first 2 baseball games

Last week's inclement weather left its mark on Brewton-Parker College's baseball season openers, but the Barons came away with a split of their first two games on a trip to Thomasville on Saturday.

The Barons took a 10-3 loss to Berry College on Saturday afternoon and then defeated Thomas University, the host of the triangular, 8-4 Saturday night.

The Barons' season opener, scheduled for Wednesday at Albany State University, was postponed and will be made up March 4. Saturday's action was scheduled after a two-game set in Jacksonville, Fla., was canceled because of wet grounds.

Brewton-Parker earned the split of Saturday's games by scoring four runs in the sixth inning to break a 4-all tie. Senior Denson Gleaton cleared the bases with a three run double.

Junior right-hander Brent Kennedy of Baxley earned the pitching victory in relief of sophomore left-hander Craig Trent, who pitched the first four innings.

Kennedy held Thomas hitless and scoreless while he struck out six and walked just one. Trent allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Johnny King went 2-for-4 from the plate with one run batted in and two runs scored. Jason Halstead had a double, scored a run and had one RBI.

In the game against Berry, Brewton-Parker trailed 5-3 before the Vikings scored five runs in the sixth inning to clinch the win.

Senior right-hander Ashley Hooks (0-1) took the loss after allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned) in the first 3-2/3 innings.

Freshman Justin Dover was 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored and Gleaton was 2-for-4 with one RBI.

"We made some mistakes in the first game defensively that let them back into the game," Barons coach Chad Parker said. "That should be unusual because we feel like our defense is our strongest point. I think a lot of it was opening-day jitters, plus Berry is very solid.

"In the second game, we played well defensively and were able to do some things because of that. People got a little more comfortable in their positions. I was pretty pleased with our efforts."

The Barons open their home schedule Wednesday with a doubleheader to kick off the Brewton-Parker Invitational.

They will play two against Claflin University (S.C.) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, with a 7 p.m. single game Thursday against Edward Waters College (Fla.) and a 1 p.m. double dip Saturday against Lambuth University (Tenn.) that will be played in Hinesville at Liberty County High School.

Their scheduled trip Tuesday to Milledgeville to play Georgia College and State University was postponed to March 19 because of wet grounds.