Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UAB
Chase Boster Dominates for @HerdBaseball against UAB
5/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Senior Chase Boster dominated for Marshall baseball (25-17, 14-8 Conference USA) on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park as it defeated the UAB Blazers (19-26, 10-12 C-USA), 5-1.
Boster pitched his first collegiate career complete game by allowing just one run on seven hits and four strikeouts. The Stafford, Va., native moves to 5-2 this season, and has won his last three starts. Boster's 17 career wins puts him tied for fourth all-time with Greg Kappas (1974-77) and Sean Reeder (1997-00).
The Blazers were able to get on the board in the top of the first inning. UAB's Brewer Hicklen hit a double down the left field line with two outs. In the following at-bat, Carter Pharis drove him in with a single to right center.
Marshall rallied in the second inning with three runs off two hits. Ryne Dean (Fresno, Calif.) led off the frame with a solo home run to right field. Later in the inning with runners on the corners, Leo Valenti (Olympia, Wash.) laid down a perfectly placed bunt to squeeze in Sam Finfer (Bellevue, Wash.) from third for the go-ahead run. Following Valenti was Corey Bird (Elkview, W.Va.), who singled to right field that drove in Cory Garrastazu (Miami).
The Thundering Herd tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth off one hit. With the bases loaded and one out, Tyler Ratliff (Alexandria, Va.) scored on a throwing error by the first baseman. DJ Gee (Seattle) added the second run with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Finfer.
Marshall held the Blazers in check over the final three innings by not allowing a hit and just one walk.
Bird led the way at the plate with two of the five hits by the Thundering Herd. Bird has had at least one hit in the last 13 games.
UAB had a game-high seven hits. Hicklen was 2-for-3 with a double. Starting pitcher Kyle Davis suffered his first loss of the season and moves to 2-1.
COACH'S CORNER
Quotes from head coach Jeff Waggoner
On Chase Boster...
"It starts with Chase [Boster] and it ends with Chase [Boster]. He's been having those performances for a while. He's a great senior, and going out there on a Friday night and doing what he did was important."
On the game...
"It wasn't the greatest offensive day for us, but it took the whole team to win. Leo [Valenti] put down a bunt to score a runner. It was good to see Corey [Bird] have a couple hits, and then the big hit by Ryne [Dean]. The team found a way to win the game, they played great defense and Chase [Boster] did what he does."
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to Appalachian Power Park on Saturday at 2 p.m. against UAB. The Thundering Herd will donate $1 for every ticket purchased to the American Cancer Society.
