SoCon Baseball Recaps for March 9, 2008
APPALACHIAN STATE 13, YALE 0
APPALACHIAN STATE 11, QUINNIPIAC 4
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Turning in perhaps its best all-around performances of the young season,
Appalachian State University baseball defeated Yale, 13-0, and Quinnipiac, 11-4, on Sunday
afternoon at Wilson Field.
Appalachian banged out 27 combined hits en route to upping its record to 7-6 on the campaign.
Starting pitcher Matt Andress (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg) headlined the 13-0 win over
Yale (2-3). The right-handed sophomore scattered six hits and struck out seven over eight
scoreless innings and Adam Mills (Asheboro, N.C./Southwest Randolph) tossed a perfect ninth
to close out ASU's first nine-inning shutout since a 6-0 win over Wofford in 2003.
Third baseman Isaac Harrow (Hickory, N.C./Hickory) led the offensive explosion by driving in
four runs with a three-run double in the third inning and an RBI single in the seventh. Shortstop
Jason Altenhof (Santa Fe, Fla./Santa Fe) and right fielder Jason Rook (Greensboro,
N.C./Western Guilford) notched three hits apiece and Wes Hobson (Winston-Salem, N.C./North
Forsyth) capped the scoring with a towering grand slam to right center field in the eighth.
The matchup with Quinnipiac (1-2) was more suspenseful, as it was knotted at 3-3 after three-
and-a-half innings. However, the Mountaineers snapped the tie with a pair of runs in the bottom
of the third and broke the contest wide open with four in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
Catcher Adam Beasley (Hendersonville, N.C./Hendersonville) led the Apps offensively versus
the Bobcats with a 2-for-4, four-RBI effort. The senior blasted his first home run of the season in
the fifth, a three-run job, and just missed out on a second an inning later when QU left fielder
Mike Bartlett robbed him of a homer with a spectacular catch.
First baseman David Towarnicky (New Bern, N.C./New Bern) chipped in with a 4-for-4, three-
RBI, three-run performance.
Nick Terry (Senola, Ga./Starr's Mill) allowed just one run on four hits in 3.1 innings out of the
bullpen to earn his first win in the Black and Gold. The left-hander upped his record to 1-0 on the
season while Quinnipiac starter Tyler Brett fell to 0-1.
Appalachian will depart from Davidson on Monday en route to a week-long trip to Alabama. The
four-game stint in the Yellowhammer State opens with a Tuesday-Wednesday series at SEC-
power Auburn. Tuesday's first pitch is set for 7 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. CDT) at Auburn's Plainsman
Park.
UNC GEENSBORO 3, OHIO 2
GREENSBORO, NC ? After scoring just one run in the fourth inning, a two-run shot over the right field fence by Ricky Orton gave UNC Greensboro the lead and the eventual 3-2 victory over Ohio on Sunday afternoon in Greensboro, NC. The win gave the Spartans the 2-1 series victory over the Bobcats.
Ohio (4-6) got on the board first off a fielder’s choice and a right side single in the top of the fourth.
UNCG (8-3) cut the lead in half with a single through the right side by Sean Snell to bring Orton around from second.
The score remained stuck at 2-1 in favor of the Bobcats until Orton unleashed his second homerun of the season to bring in the tying run and score the eventual game winner himself.
The Spartan bats were led by Orton who was 2-for-4 with two BRI, two runs, a double, and a homerun. Tim Carrier went 3-for-4 with a run and a double. Ohio’s Chris Klimko was 2-for-4.
Sophomore pitcher Alec Shelton (1-1) tallied the win for the Spartans. After coming into the game in the seventh inning, he struck out two of his eight batters faced and gave up just one hit. Freshman Greg Smith (1-0) earned his first save of the season with a ninth inning shutout to preserve the Spartan lead. Ohio’s Zach Fairbanks (0-1) is credited with the loss after giving up the homerun to Orton.
The Spartans are back in action Tuesday and Wednesday in Clemson, SC. The blue and gold will take on the Clemson Tigers in a two-game road series. Both games are set to begin at 4pm at Doug Kingston Stadium.
NIAGARA 5, WOFFORD 4
WOFFORD 7, NIAGARA 6
SPARTANBURG, SC ? The Wofford College baseball team split one-run games against Niagara in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Niagara at Russell C. King Field. The Purple Eagles won the first game 5-4 as Niagara’s pitchers had ten strikeouts. In game two, Jake Williams hit a single in the bottom of the seventh which drove in a run for a 7-6 win.
Wofford is 9-3 on the season, while Niagara is now 5-4. On the day, Michael Gilmartin had four hits and Shane Kirkley had five RBIs to lead the Terriers. Chip Hunt led Wofford’s pitchers with three strikeouts and John Cornely added two strikeouts.
To open the day, Wofford got off to a fast start as Michael Gilmartin tripled, which was followed by a home run to left field by Shane Kirkley. Mo Seay added a home run to center field and the Terriers were up 3-0 after the first inning.
In the top of the third inning, an error allowed a run to score for Niagara. A ground-out by Andrew Macdonald scored Jason Kramer from third base and the Purple Eagles were down 3-2. In the top of the fourth, Steve Baldinelli hit a two-run homer giving Niagara a 4-3 lead. Jonathan Smith added a run on a passed ball to go up 5-3.
For Niagara in the bottom of the fifth, Mark Sikorski came in to pitch and struck out the first four batters faced. In the bottom of the seventh, Sterling Dye led things off with a single and reached second on an error. Mo Seay singled to score Dye, but the Terriers ended the seventh with the 5-4 loss.
In the second game, Niagara got off strong, scoring three runs in the first inning. Cam Stykemain led things off with a walk and he scored on a fielder’s choice by Harrison Harber. Jason Cramer hit a two-run homer for the 3-0 lead.
Wofford opened the game with a double by Michael Gilmartin, and then Shane Kirkley hit a two-run homer to left field to cut the lead to 3-2. Niagara added a run in the top of the third, but the Terriers countered with a single by Josh McKinney that scored two runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-3 lead.
The Terriers added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning as a single by Shane Kirkley scored Sterling Dye. In the top of the sixth, Clint Elkins began things for Niagara with a double and then Andrew Macdonald was hit by a pitch. Harrison Harber doubled to center field to score two runs and take a 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Sterling Dye led off with a double. Michael Gilmartin hit a double to score Dye and tied the game at 6-6. After Reid McElveen allowed only one hit in the top of the seventh, the Terriers came to bat. With two outs, Josh McKinney hit a single. Alex Lee came in to pitch run and stole second, then advanced to third on an error. A walk to Emre Caglayan gave freshman Jake Williams two on with two out. Williams calmly hit a single to center field to score Lee from third for the 7-6 win.
The Terriers will host Quinnipiac at 7:00 pm on Monday night. On Friday, Wofford will begin a four-game series with Yale at 7:00 pm. On Saturday, the teams will play a doubleheader at 1:00 pm, followed by a single game Sunday at 1:00 pm.
FURMAN 5, ALBANY 2
ALBANY 6, FURMAN 3
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman and Albany wrapped up a three-game weekend baseball series with a Sunday doubleheader split at Furman Stadium that saw the Paladins win game one, 5-2, and fall in game two, 6-3.
Furman claimed two of the series’ three games and is 7-3 on the season. Albany is now 3-7 on the campaign.
In game one, Jay Jackson’s three-run, third inning home run proved decisive as the Paladins rode the solid pitching of starter Mason Smith and a trio of relivers en route to the 5-2 victory.
With the Paladins leading 1-0, Bobby Hubbard and Ryan Lee opened the third inning with back-to-back singles off Great Dane starting pitcher Corey Warrings. Jackson followed with a three-run home run blast over the left field fence to give Furman a 4-0 lead.
Albany made it 4-1 with a Mike Konstansy solo home run off Paladin starting pitcher Mason Smith in the sixth, but Furman answered with Joey Rodgers RBI single in the bottom of the frame to stretch the lead to 5-1.
Albany used a hit, a single, and a walk to load the bases with no outs in the eighth. Sean Donovan’s single made it a 5-2 game, but reliever Nick Karow recovered by inducing Ryan Gugel into a force out at home and retiring Zac Hollaran on an infield fly before striking out Tom Zink with the bases loaded to end the threat.
Karow worked a perfect ninth to nail down the victory and notch his second save of the season.
Smith (2-0) picked up the pitching decision for Furman after working 5 1/3 innings and allowing five hits, a run, and two walks while striking out three.
The Paladins claimed a narrow 9-8 margin in hits, with Jackson, Marcus Rose, and Campbell Lewis each collecting a pair of base knocks.
In game two Dave West went 3-for-5 and delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning to break a 3-3 tie to propel the Great Danes to the 6-3 triumph.
Albany produced a pair of first inning runs off Paladin starting and losing pitcher Chris Newell (0-1), but Furman tied it a 2-2 in the second on Joey Rodgers’ two-run home run to left.
After both teams scratched for single runs in the fourth, Kyle Crean doubled with one out and later scored on West’s two-out single to center field to give Albany a 4-3 lead.
The Great Danes tacked on two more runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Brendan Rowland off Paladin reliever Spencer Hale and a two-out double to left center field by West.
Albany reliever Dave Noble came on the sixth and limited Furman to to just two hits over three frames before yielding a two-out single to Campbell Lewis and walk to Matt Hemingway. He recovered, however, by getting Joey Rodgers on a fly to right field to end the game and secure his first save of the season.
Albany starter Josh Willimott (2-0) earned the victory, working five innings and surrendering five hits, three runs, including two earned, and a walk while striking out three.
The Great Danes out-hit the Paladins 10-8 in game two. Joey Rodgers led the Paladins with a 3-for-4 performance.
Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Charlotte to take on the 49ers in a 6:00 p.m. game.
THE CITADEL 13, UNC ASHEVILLE 7
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? Four Bulldogs hit home runs as The Citadel finished a weekend sweep through The Citadel Shootout as the Bulldogs topped UNC Asheville, 13-7, Sunday afternoon in front of 652 at Riley Park.
Chris Swauger, Bryan Altman, Chris McGuiness and Richard Jones all hit home runs in the game, marking the second time this season The Citadel has hit four round-trippers in a game. The Citadel also hit four home runs in a 12-0 win over Delaware on Feb. 23. Swauger and Jones both hit their third home runs of the season while McGuiness and Altman hit their second.
The Citadel (9-3) scored 13 runs on 12 hits, matching their highest run total in a game this season. The Citadel scored 13 runs against Evansville on Saturday and it marked the fourth time the Bulldogs have put up more than 10 runs in a game this season.
UNC Asheville scored seven runs on 11 hits with three of those runs coming unearned as UNCA capitalized on four Citadel errors in the game.
Raymond Copenhaver (1-0), who has seen action in 11 of The Citadel’s 12 games this year, received credit for the win after pitching one full inning and not allowing a hit. Copenhaver replaced Matt Talley, who went 4.0 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) off seven hits and struck out two. Copenhaver and Talley were just two of six Bulldog pitchers who took the mound in the game.
Grier Harrington (0-2) was credited with the loss for Asheville, allowing seven runs off five hits ? six earned ? and walked five Citadel batters.
Swauger safely advanced to the base paths all five times he came to the plate, going 2-for-2 with three walks. McGuiness went 2-for-3 on the day, scoring four times and knocking in one.
UNCA was led by Kevin Mattison, who went 3-for-3 with three RBI in the game. Beau Zinman went 3-for-4 and, along with Mattison, were the only Asheville batters to record more than one hit in the game.
The Citadel returns to action on Tuesday, March 11 when Riley Park is home to The Citadel vs. the College of Charleston presented by AT&T. For complete coverage of Bulldog Baseball, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 9, TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO 4
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - College of Charleston's Jake Goldberg struck out eight Roadrunners in 6 1/3 innings of work to claim Sunday afternoon's rubber match with Texas-San Antonio, 9-4, at Patriots Point Stadium. Charleston, winners of four of its last five games, improves to 10-3 on the year, while UTSA drops to 9-4.
Goldberg improved to 1-1 on the season, while UTSA's Bradley Chovanec (3-1) took his first loss of the year.
Jeremie Tice went three-for-four at the plate, including a triple in the sixth, and batted in the first run of the game in the second inning. He scored off Austin Morgan's two-out single as a part of the Cougar's three-run inning.
UTSA rallied with four runs in the fifth, but Charleston produced a run in both the fifth and sixth, then came up big in the eighth. Tice crossed home for the third time off a Roadrunner error, and Brandon Sizemore doubled with bases loaded for a three-run eighth.
Charleston will face crosstown rival The Citadel Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Joe Riley Stadium.
Eagles Fall in Finale of Keith LeClair Classic Georgia Southern drops 9-3 decision to East Carolina
ELON 7, NORTH CAROLINA A&T 3
ELON, N.C. -- Strong pitching once again led the Elon Phoenix on the baseball diamond as freshman hurler Jimmy Reyes fanned a career-best eight hitters in 6.0 innings of work to lead his team to a 7-3 non-conference victory over the visiting North Carolina A&T Aggies from Latham Park on Sunday afternoon. With the three-game series sweep, Elon improved to 13-1 on the year. The Aggies dropped to 3-9 this season.
The Aggies struck first, scoring twice in the its first at bat of the game. Things got going with two outs when Nelson Santos singled and went to third on a single down the rightfield line off the bat of CJ Beatty. After Nick Rogers walked to load the bases, Joe McIntyre delivered a two-RBI single.
Elon responded in its first time up by sending nine men to the plate and scoring four runs. Chris Dove led off the bottom of the first with a triple off the wall in right-center. Aggie starter Donald Howerton then fanned the next two Phoenix hitters before Bennett Davis single home Dove. Chase Austin followed up a walk to Greg Annarummo by lacing a two-RBI double to left-center to put the Phoenix on top 3-2. An Aggie error allowed Neal Pritchard to reach and Austin to score the fourth Elon run.
Dove led off the bottom of the second with another triple and would score when Howerton threw the ball away on a pick-off attempt at first base. In the third, Elon added its sixth run when Mike Melillo doubled home Pritchard who had doubled earlier in the frame.
A&T tried to get back in the game in the fourth, but was able to score only once and left the bases loaded. The run scored when Neil Rosser singled home McIntyre who had singled.
Dove scored the game's final tally on a sac fly to right from Davis in the fourth.
Reyes (3-0) earned his second victory of the week with his stellar performance. He scattered seven hits and walked two while allowing three runs. The Phoenix bullpen was solid as Brian Bodjiak, Jared Kernodle and Greg Amorosso combined to allow one hit and no walks in three scoreless innings of action.
Howerton (1-2) was touched for seven runs, five of which were earned, on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. He walked three and struck out six. Marquise Frink was nearly perfect out of the pen for the Aggies, hurling 3.1 scoreless frames and not allowing a hit while fanning five.
Dove ended his day with three runs scored and three hits in four at bats. Melillo also posted a three-hit day while both Davis and Austin drove home two for Elon.
McIntyre went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI while Santos recorded a 2-for-4 outing.
Elon will play host to former Big South rival Winthrop in a 4 p.m. contest on Tuesday afternoon at Latham Park.
EAST CAROLINA 9, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 3
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) had two hits but Georgia Southern dropped a 9-3 decision to host East Carolina in the finale of the Keith LeClair Classic Sunday afternoon (March 9). Both teams went 2-0 on Saturday, as the Eagles fell to 6-6 overall following the loss.
Andy Moye (Alpharetta/Alpharetta) gave up a leadoff double in the second. The Pirates eventually loaded the bases with one out. Moye struck out Trent Whitehead for the second out. Jamie Ray worked the count full before he landed a bloop single just past a diving Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell) at shortstop to plate two runs.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard during the third. Jeremy Beckham (Griffin/Griffin) hit a one-out single up the middle. He stole second base. Beckham stole third, then on the play when catcher Corey Kemp’s throw sailed into the outfield he was able to score, cutting the Pirates’ lead to 2-1.
ECU scored three more times in the third, taking advantage of two errors, two sacrifice hits and a pair of wild pitches.
Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) delivered a two-out RBI hit, plating Pierce on a single just out of the reach of shortstop Ryan Wood. Brandon Henderson hit a sacrifice fly to extend their lead to 6-2 after five innings.
Kyle Blackburn (Marietta/Walton) hit a RBI double in the eighth inning.
The Pirates (8-4) scored two more in the seventh and another on a sacrifice fly in the eighth to extend their winning streak to seven games.
Moye (2-1) lost for the first time in his collegiate career. The redshirt-freshman allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Tony Chisman (Conyers/Salem) pitched 2/3 of an inning and Charlie Strohecker (Alpharetta/Milton) threw 1.1 innings. Sophomore Brian Wilkerson (Bonaire/Houston County) made his first appearance of the year, allowing one run working the eighth inning.
Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton), Beckham, Pierce and Beckham had one hit each.
Justin Bristow (2-0) gave up two runs on four hits in seven innings. The bottom three hitters in the order ? Dustin Harrington, Trent Whitehead and Jamie Ray ? combined for six of the Pirates 11 hits.
Georgia Southern returns to J.I. Clements Stadium Tuesday (March 11), kicking off a six-game homestand against USC Upstate. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.