COLUMBIA, Md. – Marcos Castillo went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Coppin State baseball team to a 6-2 victory in the series opener against Albany Saturday afternoon at Blandair Park. The Eagles' four non-conference victories already this season surpasses their total from all of last year.
The Basics
- Final Score: Coppin State 6, Albany 2
- Records: Coppin State (4-1), Albany (0-1)
- Location: Columbia, Md. (Blandair Park)
- Series History: Coppin State Leads, 1-0
How It Happened
- It was a pitcher's duel to start as both teams went scoreless through the first four innings. Starting pitcher Jahmon Taylor then threw a scoreless fifth and the Eagles put one on the board in their half of the inning.
- Drew Thomas was hit by a pitch to start the frame and advanced to second on Corey Treyes' groundout. Nazier McIlwain then drove him in with a single up the middle.
- Taylor got the first two Great Danes to start the sixth, but after a walk he was replaced by Branden Redfern. Albany was able to tie the score after another walk and a double but Redfern got a groundball to end the inning all tied at one.
- Coppin got that run back and added another in its portion of the sixth as Castillo drove in Erik Crossman with a double to the gap in right center. Conner Walker then drew a free pass and stole second and Treyes drove in Castillo with a sacrifice fly, giving the Eagles, a 3-1 lead.
- Albany cut the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the seventh but Castillo drove in two more in the seventh with a triple, plating Nick Martinez, who pinch ran for Justin Banks, and Crossman who doubled earlier. Castillo later scored on a single up the middle by Carlos Alviarez, making it a 6-2 game.
- Redfern allowed just one hit and struck out three in the final two innings to earn the win.
Inside the Numbers
- Marcos Castillo had half of Coppin's six hits while Erik Crossman and Carlos Alviarez were the other Eagles to reach base safely twice in the game with a hit and a walk apiece. Castillo and Crossman both scored twice as well.
- Jahmon Taylor struck out nine for CSU, allowing just one run on two hits in 5.2 innings. He threw 98 pitches before giving way to Branden Redfern.
- Redfern tossed 3.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts to pick up his first win of the season.
Up Next: Coppin hosts Albany in an 11 am doubleheader on Sunday, February 24 at Blandair Park. The first game is scheduled for nine innings, followed by a seven-inning affair to follow.
