Ace right-hander Chad Coward struck out the side in the first, fourth, and seventh innings, as Team Cardinal clinched the inaugural Guilford College Intrasquad World Series, four games to two, with a 4-3 win over Team Black last Friday. Coward eclipsed his own World Series record by fanning 15 Team Black hitters on his way to his second complete game, three-hit victory of the series.

It was far from a walk in the park for Coward, however, as he was touched for three runs in the third inning when freshman Zach Whicker jumped the yard with the first home run of the series. The go-ahead blast followed Andrew Duffy's ground ball that was misplayed by Jason Davis, and a walk to Jason Rodriquez. Team Black's only other serious threat came in the fifth inning when it loaded the bases on a single by Chris Francis, and walks to Whicker and Kevin Moore. KC Chambers grounded to Bryan Probst who touched the bag at second to end the rally.

Team Black's starter and loser, Jeff Joyce, matched Coward through three innings, allowing only a leadoff single to Probst. But, after pleading his case to co-coach Andy Reed with, "I'm cruising," the roof fell in in the fourth frame. Josh Wolfe drew a leadoff walk, and was singled to third by Eric Pelletier, who regained his early series form with a two-hit day. After Pelletier stole second and Chris Butcher walked, Jason Davis broke the ice with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Wolfe. Justin Bouldin then delivered the big blow, a double off the top of the fence in left, clearing the bases and knotting the score at 3. Tim Lucason relieved Joyce and allowed a tie-breaking single to Dennis Jensen which scored Bouldin for Cardinal's fourth and final run.  After struggling in the fifth, Coward tightened the noose, striking out five of the last six Team Black batters.

Curiously, the Team Black management team left first-round draft pick KC Chambers in left field until the damage had already been done. Chambers took to the mound in the Team Cardinal fifth, clearly a case of closing the barn door after the horses had gone.

Pelletier and Coward shared series MVP honors. Pelletier batted a robust .467 on 7 for 15 while Coward picked up two victories and allowed just three earned runs in three complete-game appearances. The coaching move of the series may have been bringing back Coward on three days rest to start Game 3 for Team Cardinal. However, the lack of a move to bring in Chambers with a three-run lead and four innings to go may have been just as important.

Teams Cardinal and Black next take to the field noon February 13 vs. Bluefield College in a 12:00 tilt at McBane Field.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Black 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 1

Cardinal 0 0 0 4 0 0 x 4 5 1

WP Coward (2-1)

LP Joyce (1-2)

E Davis (C), Rodriquez (B)

2B Bouldin (C)

HR Whicker (B)

SB Probst(C), Pelletier (C), Jensen (C)

Time of Game 1:46

Team Cardinal wins series 4-2