Huntingdon sweeps No. 2 Wisconsin-Whitewater and Spalding

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon baseball team closed the Moe's BBQ Smokin Classic on Saturday with a sweep of nationally ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Spalding University.

Behind the pitching of Brooks Freeman and three timely runs, Huntingdon beat second-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-1. The Hawks scored in the bottom of the ninth inning to edge Spalding 4-3 in the final game of the day.

Spalding beat North Park 13-3 in seven innings in the first game of the day. Huntingdon (6-0) was 3-0 in the two-day tournament.

Against Wisconsin-Whitewater, Freeman (2-0) pitched eight scoreless innings to set the tone. The junior struck out eight, walked two and scattered six hits. Wisconsin-Whitewater (1-2) managed to put four runners in scoring position during the first eight innings, but each time Freeman and the Huntingdon defense ended the threat.

John Crawford struck out two and gave up one unearned run in the ninth inning to earn the save.

Huntingdon scored all three of its runs in the first three innings. Bradley Harris drove in Wes Powell with a single in the first inning. In the third inning, Heath Haskins doubled to drive in Chris Fisher and Garrett Breland grounded out to drive in Powell.

Powell, Haskins and Danny Coleman Jr. each finished with two hits in the game. Powell had four hits, three runs and an RBI in the two games. Haskins finished the two games with three hits, three doubles and three RBIs.

Haskins' final RBI sealed the win over Spalding (2-1). Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth with runners on first and third and one out, Haskins drove in Fisher with a sacrifice fly to left field to end the game.  

The Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the first three innings. Andrew Knight singled to drive in Breland for the first run in the second inning and Haskins doubled to drive in Powell in the third inning.

Spalding tied the game 2-2 in the fourth inning and took a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning. The Hawks tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh on a single by Powell that drove in Colton Clark.

Powell and Fisher each finished with two hits against Spalding.

Freshman Tucker Duke (1-0) picked up the win in three innings of relief. Duke struck out two, gave up two hits and allowed one unearned run. Starting pitcher Wallace Henry went six innings, struck out five, walked two, gave up five hits and allowed two runs.

Records: Huntingdon (6-0); University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (1-2); Spalding (2-1)

Coming Up: Huntingdon opens conference play with a three-game series at Averett on Feb. 22-24. Game 1 is set for 1:30 p.m. (Central) on Feb. 22.