Box Score

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Eastern Kentucky hit four home runs on its way to an 11-1 win over Prairie View A&M at the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday in New Orleans.
 
It was EKU's second straight win and second straight game scoring 11 runs.  The Colonels have won two of their first three games to start a season for the first time since 2012 and just the fifth time since 2000.
 
Will Johnson got the home run parade started when he sent the second pitch of the game over the wall in left field.  Christian Lucio's RBI single through the left side later in the inning made it 2-0, and gave the Colonels all the runs they would need.
 
Newcomer Brennan Kelly pitched a complete game, allowing eight hits, one run and two walks while striking out five in seven innings.
 
Eastern Kentucky scored two more in the second to pull ahead by a score of 4-1.  Nick Howie hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth and Lucio did the same in the fifth.  It was Lucio's second of the season.
 
With a 9-1 lead in the top of the seventh, A.J. Lewis hit a two-run dinger over the wall in left center.  In the bottom half of the inning, with two outs and a runner on first, Lewis threw out the runner attempting to steal with a pinpoint throw to second.  That play ended the game in the seventh.
 
EKU had five stolen bases, one each by five different players.
 
Lewis finished 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs.  Howie went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.  Five other Colonels had two hits each.
 
"It was an honor for our program to come down here and be part of a great event with Major League Baseball," head coach Edwin Thompson said.  "I loved how we bounced back after Friday night's loss and put together two really good baseball games in all three facets – offense, defense and pitching.  We did a great job in all three areas on today.  We were relentless offensively.  Will, Christian Nick and A.J.'s home runs really gave us a shot of life when we needed it.  Our defense was great and turned some double plays.  Brennan Kelly was a true warrior to pitch a complete game in his first Division I start."
 
The Colonels will return to action on Wednesday when they play at No. 4 Louisville.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.