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Posted: Feb 03, 2025

Volunteer State Baseball Sweeps Opening Series at Lawson State

Volunteer State Baseball Sweeps Opening Series at Lawson State

By: Timothy M. Reece, Athletic Media Coordinator

 

            Opening weekend for the Pioneers was a ringing success as they went on the road and defeated the Lawson State Cougars (Birmingham, AL) all three games, in the first match up between the two schools since Head Coach Jim McGuire has been at the helm.  Volunteer State won 9-7, 8-0, and 7-4, collecting a total of 27 hits. Below is a summary of each game's highlights:

            King University transfer, Eben Hansen (SO-RHP), got the ball for the 1st start of the year.  Hansen did not disappoint, as he went 5 innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 run, and struck out 8 Cougars, looking very much in control as he retired the final 7 batters he faced.  The Pioneers led 5-1 at the time Hansen left, scoring 4 runs on 5 hits in the 2nd inning, sending 9 batters to the plate.  Lawson State tied the game in the 7th with a 4 spot of their own.  The game stayed tied 6-6 going into the top of the 9th.  Again, Vol State sent 9 batters to the plate, getting help from Cougars pitchers who walked 3 and hit a batter.  A double by Gage Hoover (SO-OF), scored the go-ahead run and the 3rd hit of the game by Tucker Lorenz (FR-SS) drove in 2 more runs to give Vol State a 9-6 lead.  Drew Morehead (FR-RHP) was asked to close out the game in the bottom of the 9th.  After surrendering a lead-off walk, that later came around to score (unearned), Morehead retired the next 3 batters on 2 flyouts and a strikeout to end the contest and earn his 1st collegiate save.  Hitting stars were Tucker Lorenz (Toyota of Gallatin Player of the Game) who went 3-5, with a double and 3 RBI's; Chattanooga State transfer, Scotty Dean (SO-DH), reached base in all 5 plate appearances, going 2-2 with a double, 2 walks, and an HBP; and Easton Denning (FR-1B), 2-4, a walk and an RBI.  Carter Waltz (SO-LHP) collected his 1st collegiate win on the mound, getting all 3 outs in the 8th inning, giving up 1 hit but no runs.

            In game 2, the Pioneers got started quickly scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning and 4 runs in the 2nd, charging out to a 6-0 lead.  Starting Pitcher Jack McLaury (SO-RHP), shut out Lawson State through 4.2 innings before being lifted due to an early season pitch count.  McLaury (1-0) was credited with the win, giving up 2 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 4 batters.  Braxten Alexander (SO-LHP) got the last out of the 5th and Cumberland University transfer, Bryant Rascoll (SO-RHP), pitched the final 2 innings, giving up a single and striking out 3 to preserve the shutout.  Hitting stars were Devin Thrain (R/SO-OF), 2-2, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, a walk, and 3 RBI's; Reed Muschinsky (R/SO-OF), 1-3, triple, run scored, and 2 RBI's; and Drew Plummer (R/SO-UTL), 1-3, double, 3 runs scored, a HBP, and an RBI.  The Toyota of Gallatin Co-Players of the Game were Jack McLaury and Devin Thrain.

            Game 3 saw Vol State score first, for the 3rd straight game, pushing 3 runs across the plate in the 2nd inning, as they also batted around for the 3rd time in the series.  The offense continued with 2 more runs in each of the 5th and 6th innings, giving the Pioneers a 7-1 lead.  Drew Plummer (SO-UTL) led the team with 2 hits, a sacrifice fly, and 2 RBI's in 4 at-bats.  Tucker Lorenz (FR-SS) went 1-3 and continued driving in runs collecting 2 more RBI's, giving him a team-leading 5 RBI's for the weekend.  Carson Sanders (SO-1B/DH) was perfect at the plate collecting 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored in his 1st start of the season. Parker White (R/SO-LHP), the 2023 2nd Team All-Conference Starting Pitcher, got his 16th start of his collegiate career and went 3.2 innings, giving up 2 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 2 HBP, and striking out 3 on his way to his 7th career victory as a Pioneer.  Chipper Harris (SO-RHP) and Brodie Prairie (FR-LHP) finished the game on the mound giving Vol State the sweep over Lawson State in the opening series of the 2025 season.  The Toyota of Gallatin Co-Players of the Game were Parker White and Drew Plummer.

            Vol State travels back to Alabama on Tuesday, February 4th, to take on Gadsden State in a mid-week doubleheader beginning at 1pm central.  Most games will be carried on the VolState Sports YouTube channel.