The much anticipated baseball season got underway on Friday at Ken Dugan field as the Dayton Flyers took on the Lipscomb Bisons.
Vanderbilt transfer Richie Goodenow got the start for the Bisons but was overshadowed by Flyers pitcher Michael Hauschild. Hauschild pitched a complete game for the Flyers while giving up 8 hits, 3 runs and striking out 8 Bison batters.
The Bisons struck first in the bottom of the first inning after Tennyson Dodd reached base off an errant throw. One batter later, Josh Chism singled to right field to bring Dodd home for the 1-0 Bison lead.
The Flyers shook off the rust in the top of the second when Zach Stewart singled to right field followed by a Mike Coughlin single that defelcted off of Bison pitcher Goodenow’s foot. Robby Sunderman followed his teammates with a single to left field that loaded the bases. A base clearing double to straight-away center by Bobby Glover was just what the Flyers needed to get the ball rolling. Up 3-1, the Flyers never looked back.
The Bisons struggled to get back on the board until the bottom of the sixth when Ricky Coleman hit a two run homer to tie the game 3-3.
Senior Chad Fromm relieved Goodenow in the seventh inning. Fromm walked Sunderman to start the inning followed by an Ian Hundley double to right center. Bobby Glover sent Sunderman home off of a sacrifice ground out to put the Flyers back on top 4-3.
With seven homeruns his junior year, Castine got off to a good start against the Bisons. In the top of the eighth Castine hit a two run homer to give the Flyers a three run lead going into the final inning.
Castine and Hauschild continued to be clutch in the final innings for the Flyers. Castine’s single in the top of the ninth drove in C.J. Gillman and Danny Welch to extend the Flyers lead to 8-3.
Hauschild finished the game with three shutout innings to end the Bisons hopes of a comeback.
Final score, Flyers 8 Bisons 3.
Star of the game, Flyers senior Jonathan Castine, finshed the game with 3 hits, 1 homerun and 4 rbi’s.
The Bisons try to get their first win of the season on Saturday at Ken Dugan field when they take on Bradley at 11 a.m. followed by Dayton at 2 p.m.