Box Score

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Junior TJ Alas hit a home run in Eastern Kentucky's 2015 season opener at East Tennessee on Friday, but the Colonels lost 7-3. 
 
Alas broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out solo shot over the right center field wall in the top of the fourth inning.  EKU maintained its 3-2 lead until the bottom of the sixth.  The New Albany, Ohio native finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. 
 
Hagen Owenby's two-run home run gave East Tennessee the lead for good.  The Buccaneers added three more in the seventh inning, two of which came off a double to left by Jeremy Taylor.
 
The Colonels got on the board in the first inning when Alas had a two-out RBI infield single.  Kyle Nowlin later scored from third when Alas was caught in a run down while attempting to steal second.
 
Senior Logan Hershenow started for EKU and allowed four runs on five hits in six innings of work.  He did not walk a batter and struck out two.  Jimmy Nesselt earned the win for ETSU after giving up three runs on four hits in six innings.  He walked two and struck out six.
 
Taylor and Owenby each drove in two and each scored a run for the Buccaneers.
 
The two teams were scheduled to play one game Saturday and one on Sunday to conclude the three-game series.  They will now play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning with a nine-inning game at noon.  A seven-inning contest will follow.