CLEVELAND, GA. -- The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars traveled down to Cleveland, Georgia to take on Truett-McConnell University in a four-game series. Thursday night they played two games and won both of them 12-1 and 7-6.

The Cougs started out hot with a 5 run inning in the top of the second. The inning started off with a double from Sam Pesa. Followed by a walk from Ayden Lichtensteiger and a single from Eli Riley. A couple of walks, errors, and tough at bats helped them plate 5 runs early. Perry Stowe earned his first collegiate win in five dominant innings, not giving up a single hit. The Cougs began to pull away in the 7^th and 8^th innings with a sacrifice-fly from Eli Riley, two singles by Callan Stauffer, and a handful of walks. They finished on top 12-1.

In game two, they found themselves down 3 early. But they responded well in the third inning scoring 7 runs. Ayden Lichtensteiger, Eli Riley, Callan Stauffer, and Kolton Cardenas all with RBI hits in the inning. The Bears battled back to make it a 1-run game, but they were no match for Graham Kellham's electric fastball. He struck out two batters in the inning and came away with the save to finish the game 7-6 in favor of the Cougs.

Some key contributors on the day as a whole were Perry Stowe with 5 IP and 5 strikeouts. Callan Stauffer with 3 hits and 5 RBIs on the day. And Graham Kellam earning his first save on the year in the end of game two. Xavier Croxton made some tremendous defensive plays in the outfield as well. USF will be back in action Friday at 12:00 and 3:00 PM to finish up the series against Truett-McConnell University. The Cougars are currently 2-0 and the Bears are 4-3.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.

- Sam Pesa -