March 12, 2008

Final Stats

The Bisons got back on the winning track on Wednesday, defeating the University of Evansville 8-5, to raise their record to 5-7.

Right-hander, Dylan Ray, got the start for the Bisons, his first of the season. He allowed an early first inning run to the Purple Aces, but the Bisons offense responded with three runs of their own in the second to take a 3-1 lead. The first run scored after Ryan Wilkins stole home. Branden Cadavid followed that up with an RBI single, before eventually scoring on an error by the Purple Aces first basemen.

After Evansville got a run back in the bottom of the inning, the Bisons piled on four more in the third. Allen Bolden led off the inning with a single to shortstop. The next batter, Caleb Joseph, wasted no time adding to the Bisons lead, drilling a two-run homer to left. Cadavid added another run on his second RBI of the game, and the final run crossed the plate courtesy of a Ben Williams' sacrifice bunt.

Evansville added a run in both the third and fourth innings, but the Bisons offense was not done yet, adding another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Joseph to bring the Bisons lead to bring the score to 8-4.

Evansville tacked on another run in the eighth, but they would not get any closer.

Ray went 3.1 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits in the no-decision. Left-hander, Paul Piennette, who came on in relief of Ray in the fourth, picked up the win to even out his record at 1-1.

Right-hander Chris Burnett picked up the save, his first of the season.

Cadavid and Joseph led the offense with three hits each, while Cadavid contributed two RBIs and Joseph, three.

The Bisons will return to action when they take on Jacksonville University in their home opener, a three game weekend series, kicking off Friday, March 14, at 6 p.m.