Next Game:
at Bethune-Cookman
5/16/2025 | 5 p.m.
May. 16 (Fri) / 5 p.m.
at Bethune-Cookman
History
SANFORD, Fla. – Texas Southern battled back from a two-run deficit with a five-run eighth for a critical series-opening win over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday.
With their postseason fate hanging in the balance, the Tigers entered Thursday's contest against the Wildcats in a must-win situation and the team responded well from the first pitch.
TSU had early opportunities with runners on third in the first and third innings but couldn't capitalize. Starter James Malone and the TSU defense did their parts defensively as they held the first-place Wildcats scoreless until the fifth.
The Wildcats opened the fifth with a solo homer but Malone forced back-to-back outs until the team's second homer of the game upped the lead to 2-0. TSU had an opportunity in the sixth with runners on second and first but hit into an inning-ending double play. With the game coming down to the wire, TSU went to its bullpen to open the bottom of the seventh and Kewan Braziel performed his task well as he held BCU scoreless. BCU went to its bullpen in the eighth and the breaks that seemed to elude TSU the past few weekends finally would go their way.
Jonathan Trejo led the inning off with a single and moved to second after Kelton Phillips' sac bunt. Bryce Hughes made the biggest play of the game as his shot to left center turned into an inside-the-park home run and a 2-2 tie. With two outs, Damien Garcia hit a double followed by Jaden Flores' RBI single up the middle for a 3-2 margin. Pinch hitter Jason Lazo kept the momentum up with a two-run homer for a 5-2 lead.
The ninth inning had slight drama as the Wildcats hit back-to-back one-out singles but closer Leeroy Tavarez forced a game-ending double play. Braziel earned the win while Tavarez picked up his second save.
Hughes and Garcia both went 2-for-4 while Lazo and Hughes had two RBI apiece.
TSU is back in action at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
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Source: https://tsusports.com/news/2025/5/1...o-earn-critical-win-over-bethune-cookman.aspx