CBU Baseball Opens With Extra-Inning Win
By Rori Eddie

Memphis, TN--Opening Day 2002 at Buc Field belonged to Wes Hoover, and ultimately after 12 innings and three hours and twenty minutes of baseball, to the Christian Brothers University Buccaneers, as the Bucs collected a thrilling 6-5 victory over Cumberland University (Lebanon, TN).

Appearing in his first-ever collegiate contest, Hoover erupted for a three-run homerun in the bottom of the ninth that evened the game at 5, forcing the extra-inning affair. Owning an 0-1 count, the freshman outfielder smacked a lofting shot over the right center fencing, scoring teammates Rusty Cagle and Zac Clements.

The 5-10, 175 lbs. Hoover would again play the role of hero in the bottom of the twelfth. Facing a bases loaded situation and a daunting 0-2 count, the Bartlett, TN, native stood solidly and took a Rob Lawwill fastball to the back, allowing senior captain Joey Perry to cross the plate while allowing CBU to take the one-run victory in the season-opener.

Hoover ended with a team-high four RBI on a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including two runs scored. Perry would add two runs scored and two hits on his day, including a two-bagger.

Senior Steven Oelke opened on the mound for CBU, and despite being tagged by a Jason Hand two-run blast in the top of the second, would post a game-high five strikeouts in three innings worked. The 6'3" right-hander faced 13 Cumberland batters.

Christian Brothers would reach the scoreboard for the first time in the bottom of the fifth, as Hoover belted a double down the left field line. Teammate Angelo Lucchesi would drive Hoover home with a single of his own through the left side. Lucchesi finished his day at the plate with a 2-of-4 effort, including his one RBI.

Chad Nolan would take over the pitching reigns in the top of the fourth, allowing two Bulldog runs in his 5.0 innings worked. The 6-4 sophomore hurler surrendered only one free pass while sitting down four.

Junior transfer Brad Powers collected the inaugural win, after the hard-throwing right-hander shut down CU for only one run in his four innings of work. Powers did receive a big defensive push from his teammates in the top of the tenth, when after filling the bags with threatening CU runners, third baseman Jason Whitehead nailed Bulldog Jeremy Castillo at the plate. On the next pitch, Perry and Lucchesi teamed to turn a perfect 6-4-3 double play, ending the Cumberland inning.

The victory improves CBU to an early 1-0 stand on the season, while No. 12 ranked (NAIA) Cumberland slips to 1-4.

Christian Brothers University will play host to an always tough North Alabama squad on Saturday. The teams will tangle in a seven-inning double-header affair, with Game 1 slated for a noon start.