Eagles Shut Out Wildcats in Challenger’s Return

Friday, February 13

Statesboro, GA

4 pm

Georgia Southern University

1-0

Bethune-Cookman

0-1

Bethune-Cookman

Georgia Southern

2/13/2015 6:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

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STATESBORO, Ga. – Evan Challenger combined with three Georgia Southern pitchers to shut out the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on opening day at J.I. Clements Stadium.

Challenger struck out six batters, allowed no walks and two hits in his first appearance since May 25, 2013. Making his sixth career start for Georgia Southern (1-0), he earned his second career win and first of the season after tossing 5.1 innings.

The Eagles bullpen followed with 2.2 scoreless innings to preserve the seventh season opening victory in the Hennon era. Jason Richman was the first out of the pen and struck out four batters over 1.2 innings. Chris Brown pitched the ninth and struck out Austin Garcia for his first save of the season.

Preseason MEAC Pitcher of the Year, Keith Zuniga kept the game close for Bethune-Cookman (0-1) and delivered a quality start in his first outing of the season. Zuniga (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six batters over seven innings.

The Eagles got out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning after freshman Will Hudgins plated a lead off walk in Ryan Cleveland with a double down the right field line. Dalton Busby drove in Hudgins with a two-out single to left field.

Hunter Thomas added his second career home run to lead off the fifth inning and put GS up 3-0.

Challenger tossed 4.1 perfect frames before an error by third baseman Hudgins allowed the Wildcats their first base runner. Brandon Wilkes recorded the first hit of the game for BCU with a two-out single in the fifth inning.

The Eagles continue the three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Sophomore Adam Kelly will take the mound for GS, and BCU will counter with Alex Seibold.

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