Corey Alexander pitched the Saints to a 3-1 win over Southern Poly on Thursday.
Boxscore
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Corey Alexander was as good as advertised on Thursday morning for the fifth-seeded Siena Heights Saints, holding the No. 4 seed, Southern Polytechnic State to just five hits and one run over eight strong innings of work. The Saints' offense gave Alexander all the support he would need with a two-run first frame en route to a 3-1 victory in the day's first game. SHU will take on top-seeded Embry-Riddle tonight at 6 p.m., while the Hornets will face elimination tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against the loser of game two.
Brett Howard and Dan Abbott both brought in a run in the first inning with back-to-back singles off of SPSU starter, Josh Means. Means got the first two outs of the game quickly, but WHAC Player of the Year Cory Lehman kept the inning alive with a single. Lehman and first baseman Josh White both scored on Howard's and Abbott's singles respectively, giving the Saints a 2-0 lead.
Alexander kept the Hornets off the scoreboard in the first and second, and his offense rewarded him with an insurance run in the third when Todd Vandercook drew a bases-loaded walk to push the Saints' lead to 3-0.
Southern Poly scored their only run of the day in the bottom of the third when Deven Thaut singled home courtesy runner Kyle Beech from second.
Alexander was magnificent over his eight frames of work, scattering five hits while striking out three Hornets to earn his eighth victory of the season. Means (5-5) received the loss, while Jake Kret pitched a scoreless ninth to secure his seventh save of the year.
