Team Queso Takes Two-Game Lead in Fall World Series

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Team Queso Takes Two-Game Lead in Fall World Series

October 25, 2020 | Baseball

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Rokose throws 3 1/3 scoreless innings to help Team Queso post second-straight victory to start Fall World Series

By: Greg Campbell, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – After closing out the first win of the series earlier in the day, Team Queso capitalized on four errors by Team Goat to grab a 6-5 victory in game two and take a 2-0 lead in the Mississippi State baseball Fall World Series.

The two teams combined for 17 hits, walked 12 times and reached via hit-by-pitch on three occasions, but left a combined 19 runners on base. With all of the traffic on the base paths, it was four Team Goat errors that led to three of the six runs scored for Team Queso.

After starting pitcher sophomore Eric Cerantola allowed four runs in 2 2/3 innings of work, the bullpen took care of the final 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one run for Team Queso. Freshman Davis Rokose (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out three in 3 1/3 innings to earn the win and freshman Mikey Tepper allowed one run on one hit and struck out one in two innings of work.

Junior Jaxen Forrester (1) nailed down the save with a clean ninth inning. He struck out one in his first appearance in the series.

Sophomore Luke Hancock had two of the biggest hits in the game for Team Queso, as he tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the third inning and drove in the eventual game-winning run in the seventh inning.

For Team Queso, senior Scott Dubrule – who graduate transferred from Jacksonville University – reached base three times with two hits and one walk and scored one run. Junior Josh Hatcher had a pair of hits and scored twice, as well.

Three Team Goat student-athletes posted multi-hit games, as sophomore Brayland Skinner and freshmen Kamren James and Logan Tanner all chipped in three hits. They each scored one run, while James and Tanner collected RBIs. Second-year freshman Drew McGowan and true freshman Austin Reed also logged RBIs in the game.

Scoring Recap
Top First
The first two batters reached against Christian MacLeod, before a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt allowed Rowdey Jordan came in to score the first run of the game.
Team Queso 1, Team Goat 0

Bottom First
An immediate answer from Team Goat provided the first lead change of the game, as Brayland Skinner and Kamren James got things started with base hits. Kellum Clark walked to load the bases and Logan Tanner's infield single toed the game at one. Drew McGowan's sacrifice fly plated James to flip the lead.
Team Goat 2, Team Queso 1

Bottom Second
Blayze Berry started the inning with a walk and promptly stole second base. With one out, Skinner singled to left field and Berry scored to extend the lead.
Team Goat 3, Team Queso 1

Top Third
With two outs, Tanner Allen worked a walk and Josh Hatcher singled to get the rally started. Kace Garner singled to score the first run, before Luke Hancock shot a base hit through the right side to tie the score at three.
Team Goat 3, Team Queso 3

Bottom Third
Austin Reed drew a one-out walk and stole second base, before Eric Cerantola got a strikeout. Davis Rokose came on to replace Cerantola and Shane Lewis greeted him with a double into right field to push Team Goat back into the lead.
Team Goat 4, Team Queso 3

Top Fourth
With two runners on base and two outs, Allen chopped a ball up the middle that was misplayed by the second baseman and allowed one run to come home. With runners on second and third, a throwing error on a pickoff attempt sailed into left field to bring home the second run of the inning against reliever Stone Simmons.
Team Queso 5, Team Goat 4

Top Seventh
Hatcher doubled to start the inning against reliever Kole Alford in his second inning of work. After a flyout, Hancock dumped a single into center field to score Hatcher from second.
Team Queso 6, Team Goat 4

Bottom Seventh
Tanner led off the inning with a double and McGowan was hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt from Tanner Leggett, Reed drove in the lone run of the inning with a ground out.
Team Queso 6, Team Goat 5

Up Next
Team Queso will look to wrap up the series victory on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. The final three games of the series will be played, regardless of the outcome of game three. Fans can listen to each of the Fall World Series games online at HailState.com/plus or on the Hail State app, with Jim Ellis on the call.