FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
RUSTON — Freshman Benn Fairbanks not only pitched a solid game for the Blue Team (5-2), but his offense and defense gave him plenty of support in the 8-4 win over the White Team (2-5) on Sunday at J.C. Love Field.
Fairbanks was able to stay under the 85 pitch limit in 6.2 innings. The native of Richmond, Texas allowed only five hits, gave up two earned runs, struck out three and walked none.
“Today, my fastball was working really well,” Fairbanks said. “I was able to locate my pitches, change speeds, and throw strikes. I also had a solid defense behind me, and I was happy to not allow a walk.”
In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Blue Team’s third baseman, Mark Threlkeld fielded a sharp hit ball to his left to rob junior Devon Dageford of a potential hit.
Threlkeld also had a solid day at the plate. The freshman went 4-for-5 with four singles and scored three runs. He finished the fall season with a .486 batting average.
“Prior to the Fall World Series, I found myself being a little too anxious at the plate,” Threlkeld said. “Since we began the series, my goal was just to relax.”
The Blue Team scored early. In the 1st inning, senior Chris Kersten hit a two run home run to right center field. The White Team rallied by scoring a pair in the 2nd inning on a single by freshman Austin Hedges.
Junior Jonathan Mire smacked a two run double off the right field wall in the 4th inning to put the Blue Team up 8-2. After that run scoring play, the White Team’s relievers, freshman Bunk Coronado and freshman Graham Meyers limited the opposition to only one hit.
Senior Matt Combs put the last run on the board for the White Team and the fall season when he hit a solo home run to center field in the 9th inning.
Louisiana Tech’s head coach, Wade Simoneaux, believed the final game of the series was a terrific way to end the fall season.
“The Blue Team allowed no walks today,” Simoneaux said. “In general, today’s game was the cleanest of the series. Each team had only one error. I believe we ended on a positive note.”
The team will look to capitalize on the fall season when play begins in February 2009.
