The Selma Times-Journal

The Concordia College baseball team had its chances – as well as its struggles.

The Hornets blew two leads in a loss in the first game of a doubleheader and didn’t do much better in the nightcap.

Morehouse College got some timely hits and took 9-6 and 8-5 wins Tuesday afternoon at Bloch Park, sending Concordia to two losses in the opening day of its season.

“We were playing too hard to lose that first ball game,” Hornets coach Raymond Brown said. “They’re young kids, but they’re college ball players. When you’re college ball players, you’ve got to take advantage of opportunities.”

Aaron Wilson gave up two first-inning runs, but began snapping off breaking balls that gave Morehouse hitters fits. At one point, he retired seven straight batters.

A.J. Ward hit an RBI double to the left field corner, and Reiko Stevens had a bunt single for a run to put Concordia up 6-4 after the sixth.

Reliever Jamell Terry – who blew a save chance by allowing the Tigers to tie the game an inning before – gave up three runs in the top of the seventh, and Morehouse led 7-6.

Charles Evans and Hank McCladdie tagged Marcus Wright for two more RBI hits, and Morehouse led by three.

Michael Brooks retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the save.

The Hornets had to play catch-up again in game two. They got three runs in the second, including an RBI double from Alex Smith, to tie the game at 4. Their only other run came on Jim Harsen’s run-scoring single in the fifth.

Demetrius Jones drove in three runs on two doubles, and Leshawn Lettsome and Evans also drove in runs to lead the way for Morehouse.

Anthony Cousins pitched 5 2-3 innings of relief to get the win for Morehouse. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven.

Jacob Graves took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits, walking two and striking out two over three innings.