JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.— The LIU Brooklyn baseball team fell in its series opener to East Tennessee State University, 9-3 on Friday afternoon. The Blackbirds were out hit 13-5 by the Buccaneers at Thomas Stadium.

ETSU took the lead early on a Jackson Greer a one-out two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. LIU responded in the next half inning as senior Andrew Smith laced a one-out triple into the gap in right centerfield. Junior Tim Bechtold got the Blackbirds on the board in the next at bat with an RBI groundout to make the score 2-1.

The Buccaneers brushed back in the bottom of the second inning, working the bases loaded with two outs. ETSU earned back-to-back RBI walks off senior Zach Pederson before an RBI single brought the score to 5-1. The home team tacked on four runs on four hits to take a 9-1 advantage.

LIU added a pair of runs in the top half of the eighth inning as senior Alex Briggs lifted a 1-0 offering over the left field wall for a two-run home run shot with two outs in the frame. ETSU capped the scoring with a run in the bottom half of the eight inning for the final score of 10-3.

Pederson suffered the loss for the Blackbirds, pitching four and two-thirds innings in the start while striking out five batters. Senior Anthony Rupp pitched the remaining three and a third innings, surrendering just one earned run while scattering two hits to go with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds and Buccaneers will conclude the weekend set with a doubleheader tomorrow due to inclement weather expected on Sunday. The twinbill at Thomas Stadium on Saturday, March 2 will begin at noon with game two starting approximately 45 minutes after the completion of game one.