The #1-ranked and last season’s national runners-up Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs out-hit the British Columbia Thunderbirds 11-6 at the East/West Challenge in Lakeland, FL.
RHP Kansai Sukimoto of Kyoto, Japan, playing his first-ever game for the Thunderbirds (he transferred from Yapapai College, got the start. He allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks, and the Bulldogs led 6-2 after three innings. Russell Young hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth to make it 6-3, but the Bulldogs got three runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 9-3 lead. The Thunderbirds got closer with a three-run home run by Aaron Marsh in the top of the eighth, but several excellent defensive plays by the Bulldogs prevented the Thunderbirds from getting any closer.
The Thunderbirds got an excellent appearance by second-year RHP Lucas Huynh, also in his first game for the team. He pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowed one hit, struck out four of the seven batters he faced.
Cameron Goffar got the win for the Bulldogs; he pitched five innings, allowed one run on two hits, struck out three. Josh Slelley went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI for the Bulldogs. Sugimoto got the loss. Mitchell Middlemiss got two hits for the Thunderbirds. Box score
The Thunderbirds are scheduled to play #11-ranked Southeastern on January 30.