The Chattanooga State Tigers roared to a big win on Thursday afternoon at Cougar Field as they handed the Cleveland State baseball team a 5-1 loss in the first of a three-game TCCAA Region VII series.
The Tigers got all the runs that they would need in the first three innings as they scratched out a run in each frame. Jay Rhoten singled in a run in the first, a walk, a sacrifice and a groundout plated a run in the second and Rhoten struck again in the top of the third for a solo home run for a 3-0 lead.
The Cougars got on the board in the bottom of the fifth as Chris Caffrey singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single from Janson Roberson to slice the lead to 3-1.
The Tigers got that run back in the seventh as Brandon Day singled and came around to score on a double from Alex Meadows and then added an insurance run in the ninth as Sheldon Brogden singled in a run.
Zach Thompson tossed an outstanding game for the Tigers (24-13, 15-10) scattering seven hits along the way and going the distance to pick up the win while Bobby Towne took the loss.
The Cougars (24-20, 11-14) stranded nine runners in the contest.