May 20, 2009 - Geneva College
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May 20, 2009

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Van Zanic

Director of Sports Information

(724) 847-6886

vgzanic@geneva.edu

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2009

GOLDEN TORNADOES OPEN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
RUN WITH FIRST ROUND VICTORY

Mason, OH - It had been nearly three weeks since the Geneva College baseball team had taken the field. After closing out the regular season in early May, the Golden Tornadoes had to wait to begin their run at the NCCAA national tournament. That run began on a positive note Wednesday morning with a 6-1 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic. Geneva used a pair of big innings and a solid outing from Derek Sumner to move on to its next challenge tonight at 7:30 pm. The Golden Tornadoes moved to 23-16 on the season and will meet top seeded Malone University (44-14) under the lights on Wednesday night.

In what turned into a very impressive pitcher′s duel, Geneva′s Derek Sumner came out on top. Sumner moved to 9-4 on the season with a complete game four-hitter. He allowed just one earned run while striking out six batters. He got all the offensive help he needed in the fifth and sixth innings. Sumner helped his own cause with a one-out double in the fifth which was followed by an RBI single from Justin Acosta. Acosta was a perfect 3-3 on the day with a pair of RBI′s. With two runners on base in the fifth, Tadd Eyster launched a three-run home to give the Golden Tornadoes a comfortable 4-0 lead. Back to back RBI singles from Justin McGurgan and Acosta in the sixth inning gave Geneva some insurance as it cruised to the first round victory.

Geneva finished with eight hits including three from Acosta and two each from Eyster and McGurgan.

Should Geneva get past the top seeded Pioneers tonight it would move on to face the winner of Bluefield and Olivet Nazarene on Thursday at 4:15 pm. A loss against Malone would move Geneva into a loser′s bracket game on Thursday at 1:00 pm.

May 20, 2009