Box Score BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University baseball team was back in action when they played host to Bluefield State College in a non-conference contest. The Tornado was quick out of the gates, scoring seven runs in the first inning to defeat the Blues 15-6 behind Jake Portugal's three hits and four runs batted in.
King (14-15) started very fast as Grant Boyd was able to send down the Bluefield State lineup in order. The Tornado came up to bat in the bottom of the first and did some damage as they recorded six hits, scoring seven runs. A Ryan Whitt single brought Braden Cook into score followed by a Mark Hencken sacrifice bunt, scoring Forrest Haga who pinch ran for Jose Sola. Jake Portugal stepped up to the plate and ripped a double to right center scoring Preston Douglas and Whitt. Mark Michael delivered a single to plate Portugal then Tyler Bailey singled to left field scoring Michael on the hit. Cook doubled to right center bringing Bailey home for their final run of the inning.
Bluefield State (4-13) plated none in the top of the second and King scored again in the home half of the inning. Douglas doubled down the left field line and Portugal delivered a run batted in on a single into right field scoring Ryan O'Neal who pinch ran for Douglas. The second run of the inning came on a Portugal steal and Hencken scored on the throw down to second base. After two innings, King led Bluefield state 9-0.
The Blues were able to get on the board in the top of the third off back-to-back doubles to score three in the inning. King recorded one in the bottom of the inning off a Cody Rogers sacrifice bunt, plating Cook. The fourth was a quick one for Bluefield State as Tyler Raymond was able to strikeout two players and ground out the third. The Tornado scored two more in the bottom of the fourth to open their lead to nine. Portugal brought in Ryan O'Neal on a single to right field and then scored on a pass ball. After four innings of play, King led Bluefield State 12-3.
Raymond got out of the fifth inning pretty easily allowing one hit in the inning. The Tornado scored again in the bottom of the fifth off a Haga sacrifice bunt plating Braden Cook on the play. Jason Nebrat replaced Raymond on the mound and allowed one hit but nothing crossed the plate heading into the bottom of the inning. The Tornado crossed two more across the plate, first off a Bailey infield single, scoring Derrick Moore. The second run of the inning came on a Bluefield State throwing error. After six innings, King led Bluefield State 15-3.
The seventh, eighth and ninth allotted for three Bluefield State runs while the Tornado registered none. The final score of the contest was King 15, Bluefield State 6.
King posted 15 hits in the contest while the Blues recorded 10. Leading the way for the Tornado was Portugal who went 3-for-4 recording four runs batted in. Boyd earns his first collegiate win on the mound while Sibold was handed the loss for Bluefield.
The Tornado will be back in action on Friday, March 27 when they travel to Belmont Abbey College for a three game series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
