DAVENPORT, FL. - March 3, 2024 - Baseball had a doubleheader match-up vs Russell Sage College. The Cougars won game one 4-2 and lost game two 5-4.

In game one, Junior Carter Beneigh got the start on the mound for the Cougars. Beneigh threw 5.2 scoreless innings, scattered two hits, 3 walks and had four strikeouts. Beneigh moves to 1-1 on the year. 

In the bottom of the second, Chatham scored first thanks to small ball. Angelo DeLeonardis stole second and Caleb Jones advanced home on the throw. Tyler Cote was able to get a run across via a ground out to second base that scored DeLeonardis. Sophomore Angelo DeLeonardis singled to right field in the sixth and more small ball took place as Jake Bredl got caught in a rundown that allowed DeLeonardis to score. The Gators got two runs across in the top of the seventh, but Junior Tyler Cote came in and shut the door to receive the save. 

Chatham collected six hits in game one, all coming from six different batters. 

In game two, the Cougars took a 4-0 lead thanks to two runs in each of the first two innings. Senior Benny Dottle singled to lead off the game and Freshman Eli Kelley followed him up with a double to left. Chatham took advantage of some fielding miscues by the Gators that brought across the first two runs. Sophomore Caleb Jones then hit a two-run single to center. The Cougars bats went quiet as Russell Sage scored three runs in the third inning, and two in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off. 

Sophomore Nick Martin started game two for the Cougars. Martin had a career high seven strikeouts in four innings of work, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks. Benny Dottle was 2-4 in the game with two runs scored. 

Baseball will now have a three day break while in Florida as they will prepare for their matchup on Thursday vs Thomas College ar 7 PM.