BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Red Team finished off the Red-Blue World Series by taking game three in another pitcher's duel, 2-1, to close out the fall season.
 
In a game filled with outstanding pitching performances by both sides, the Red team needed one big swing and got it from freshman Jake Souders. Souders blasted an opposite field home right well over the right center field fence after a Jeff Ince double off the wall for an early 2-0 lead. The Blue Team responded with a run on a hit by pitch to make it 2-1 where it would finish.
 
"Jake has been hitting at a really high level since he stepped on campus," Samford head coach Tony David said. "He had another really big swing there early and his team made it work the rest of the way with a lot of great pitching. Both sides played at a high level again defensively in a really well-played game."
 
Miller Riggins escaped a bases loaded, no out jam that ended up being the moment of the game.
 
"I told the guys after the game to learn from Riggins' outing," David said. "It was the definition of elevating your game at a key time. His velo jumped with the adrenaline and he got three big strikeouts while sitting 94 mph from the left side."
 
Will Lynch, Mason Blasche, Jacob Newman and Evan Steckmesser were all outstanding in relief.
 
Starting pitcher Joseph Lee was named Most Valuable Pitcher after throwing four shutout innings in Game Two and Jeff Ince earned Most Valuable Player honors after an outstanding series at the plate and in the field.
 
The series closes out the fall for the Samford baseball team that included two games against Ole Miss and LSU.
 
"We had an incredible fall of development," David said. "Our guys worked like crazy and we are a much better team now than we were in September. This is a different season and fall. It was a more important one than most given our lack of experience. I am excited about our growth."


 
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