Cosby Cuts Down Cavaliers in SAC Opener, 7-0

Grant Cosby tossed a complete-game shutout against St. Gregory's Thursday (photo by gssphotography.com).

Grant Cosby pitched the game of his life Thursday as Rogers State claimed a 7-0 victory over St. Gregory’ in conference baseball opener in Shawnee, Okla.
 

The Fayetteville, Ark., native tossed the first nine-inning shutout in school history and also broke a program record with 11 strikeouts. Cosby worked effectively and efficiently from start to finish. The staff ace needed just 101 pitches to complete the gem. He didn’t throw a pitch outside the strike zone until the third inning and tallied only 17 balls on the afternoon.
 

“Grant was simply outstanding today,” said Ron Bradley, head RSU baseball coach. “That was the most dominant performance we’ve ever had from a pitcher at RSU.”
 

Sophomore Billy Balak gave Cosby all the run support he would need with a solo homer to left field in the top of the fourth inning. The Hillcats added a single tally in the fifth when Tyler Harold singled and scored on a double to left by Brand Barnes. Harold made it a three-run advantage when he singled home Luis Caraballo in the seventh.
 

RSU tacked on four insurance runs in the top of the ninth to reach the final margin. The Cavaliers walked the bases loaded and Balak cashed in with an RBI double to right field. Harold led the Cats with three hits while Barnes and Balak swatted two apiece.
 

Rogers State (8-1, 1-0) passed its first road test of the spring and will return home Saturday to host St. Gregory’s in the final two games of the three-game series at the Hillcat Complex. First-pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.