Drew McGowan went five solid innings and one of the youngest UHA Blazers drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the 6th inning as University Heights rallied for a 4-3 win over McLean County Tuesday night. It was the first start of the season for McGowan, who has committed to Mississippi State, and he was sharp from the beginning.
McGowan gave up only three hits over the five innings he was on the mound. No McLean runner advanced past second base in those innings. McGowan struck out nine Cougar batters and walked none.
Meanwhile, the Blazers took an early lead, scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Following a walk, and a McLean County error, McGowan singled, driving in Dustin Moon to put the Blazers up 1-0 after one.
The Blazers got to McLean County again in the bottom of the 4th inning. Following a hit batter and a single by Eston Glover, the Blazers scored on a Cougar throwing error on a stolen base attempt to extend their lead to 2-0.
After being able to do nothing while McGowan was on the mound for the first five innings, the Cougars put three runs on the board in the top of the 6th inning, as they connected for five hits in the inning. The biggest hit in the inning was a two run double by A.J. Cline.
In the bottom half of the inning, a McLean County error to start the inning appeared to open the door just enough for the Blazers to step through. After the error, Luke Welch singled to put two runners on base. Another McLean County error allowed runners to advance to 2nd and 3rd. The Cougars then committed a balk, scoring the tying run. With one out, Eston Glover then drove in the go ahead run with a single to make the score 4-3.
The Blazers then retired the Cougars in order in the top of the 7th to secure the win.
Glover led the Blazer attack, going 3-3 with the game winning RBI. McGowan and Luke Welch each went 1-3 for UHA.
