April 27, 2008

Game 1 - A&M 2, TT 1
Game 2 - TT 14, A&M 9

Kevin Collins was dominant in his final pitching start at home Saturday. Collins and the Bulldogs defeated Tennessee Temple 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader which represented the final home games of the 2008 season. A&M dropped the finale 14-9, but rallied after trailing 13-4 with four in the fifth, another in the sixth, and then threatening in the seventh. A&M continues to find a way to win close games. Saturday's victory was the Bulldogs' fourth win at home this season by two runs or fewer. AAMU is 4-4 in one-run games on the season.

Collins gave up only four hits in the first game as the Bulldogs came back from a 1-0 deficit with two runs in the third. Manny Siaca drove in the first run with a single. The second run plated when Tyron Childress grounded into a double play, and the Bulldogs' leading hitter was hurt on the play and did not return.  Collins did the rest allowing only four baserunners after the Bulldogs took the lead.

Siaca and Turner Washington each had three hits in the nightcap, but a four-run second inning gave Tennessee Temple the lead for good.  Bernard McKinney worked three innings, giving up seven runs (five earned) and took the loss.  Despite trailing by as many as nine runs, A&M rallied and even brought the tying run to the plate in the sixth.