TOP SEEDS ADVANCE TO CIAA BASEBALL SEMIFINALS

TOP SEEDS ADVANCE TO CIAA BASEBALL SEMIFINALS

Virginia State Trojans Await Loser of Tomorrow's Opener

April 15, 2010

PETERSBURG, VA- According to the regular season baseball standings it was business as usual as the top three teams advanced after day one of the 2010 CIAA Baseball Tournament.

The Elizabeth City State Vikings, ranked #4 of the four participating teams, dropped decisions to top seeded Saint Augustine's 5-4 and third ranked Virginia State 5-1 to end their season at 15-19.

The Trojans squared off against ECSU in the loser's bracket after falling to Chowan 7-3 in the tournament opener. Shawn McEnhimer put the three-time defending champs on the board first with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. However the Hawks, playing in their first CIAA baseball tournament bounced back, reeling off seven unanswered runs en route to the four-point win. Hawk pitcher Ryan Bradshaw earned his 5th win of the season over 6.1 innings, fanning five batters along the way.

The top seeded Falcons squeezed by an upset minded Viking squad in the day's second game. The Falcons held a 2-0 lead until the Vikings tied the game in the top of the 7th. SAC struck back in their half of the inning scoring a quick three runs for a 5-2 cushion. In their final at bat ECSU scored two and had runners on first and second with only one out. Then rallied fell short when the Vikings' next two batters struck out and flew out to end the game.

With their win over the Vikings, the Trojans stayed alive in a quest for their fourth consecutive CIAA baseball crown.  They will await the loser of tomorrow's opener between Chowan and St. Augustine's in the double elimination tournament. Game times are scheduled for 11:00am and 1:00pm tomorrow at Whaley Colbert Field on the campus of Virginia State University.

DAY ONE
Chowan 7 Virginia State 3
St. Augustine's 5 Elizabeth City State 4
Virginia State 5 Elizabeth City State 1

DAY TWO
Chowan vs. St. Augustine's -11:00am
Virginia State vs. loser of Chowan/St. Augustine's- 2:00pm

CIAA Baseball Championship
Saturday, April 17, 2010- 1:00pm- Whaley Colbert Field