SoCon Baseball Recaps for April 15, 2008
DAVIDSON 9, WAKE FOREST 3
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Matt Webb recorded a home run, a double and five RBIs to lead Davidson to a 9-3 baseball victory over Wake Forest Tuesday night at Wilson Field.
It was the Wildcats' fifth victory in the last six meetings against the Demon Deacons. Playing in just his seventh game of the season after injuries forced him out of action, Webb went 3-for-6 from the plate and pitched an inning in relief.
Chase FitzPatrick was 2-for-4 with a homer and an RBI for the 'Cats (9-22), while Brett Shore registered a hit and scored three runs.
Davidson's pitching quintet of Bobby DeMuro, Mac Hunter, Andy Bass, Ian Horkley and Webb combined to give up eight hits. DeMuro, a senior who is the school's active career leader in appearances, made his first start on the hill.
Mike Murray and Tyler Smith each went 2-for-4 to lead the Wake Forest (13-22) offense.
After Wake Forest scored a run in the first inning, Webb tied the game with a solo homer with one out in the third. Davidson struck for three runs in the bottom of the fourth to open a 4-1 lead. Matt Ray and Shore drew one-out walks, and Zach Kayne was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Webb followed by driving in all three runs with a double down the left field line.
The Demon Deacons got one back in the fifth when Dustin Hood homered to left field, but Chase FitzPatrick answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the frame to make the score 5-2.
A Webb RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to Chris FitzPatrick with two outs provided two runs in the sixth to push the lead to 7-2.
The 'Cats added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Weiss drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh, while Chris FitzPatrick scored on an error in the eighth to extend the margin to 9-2.
The victory snapped a nine-game losing skid for the Wildcats, who return to action when they host Georgia Southern in a three-game SoCon series this weekend. The first contest is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Wilson Field.
WESTERN CAROLINA 6, CLEMSON 2
CLEMSON, S.C. - Senior Barrett Shaft finished 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in the eighth and a two-RBI single as a part of a three-run ninth inning as Western Carolina upended the Clemson Tigers, 6-2, Tuesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers managed to put two runners on in each of the final three innings - twice advancing a runner to third - but WCU pitching shut the door to earn the victory.
The win was just the third all-time for the Catamounts on the road against the Tigers (3-36), while also relegating Clemson to its school-record, 10th-straight loss on the season.
Shaft's 11th multiple-hit and sixth multi-RBI game of the season helped propel the Catamounts to the win, out-hitting Clemson, 12-to-5. The Lilburn, Ga., native drove in a game-high four runs on his three hits. Sophomore Reid Rollison finished a perfect 3-for-3, blasting his first collegiate home run in the second inning to propel Western to the early lead. Classmate Nick Liles and junior Mitchell Hatley each posted multiple hit games with two apiece.
Sophomore Daniel Ottone tossed five innings of two-run, three-hit baseball in the starting role for WCU, walking one and striking out two. His quality start set up junior Drew Saberhagen (3-3), who tossed 2.1 innings in relief to pick up the win. The Calabasas, Calif., native only allowed one base hit with a pair of walks and a strikeout on the night.
Relievers Mike Tavernier and Tyler Sexton combined to toss the final 1.2 innings of scoreless, one-hit work with Tavernier striking out the only batter he faced and Sexton working around a pair of walks with two strikeouts, including a swinging K to end the game.
WCU led 1-0 following Rollison's solo shot to left in the second, holding the lead until Clemson answered with a solo home run of its own in the bottom of the third by third baseman Matt Sanders.
Two innings later, the Tigers took their lone lead of the night, capitalizing on a lead-off walk by right fielder Chris Epps and a quirky play. Epps advanced from first to third on a single up the middle by shortstop Stan Widmann, who made a big turn around first and was caught in a rundown. While the Catamount defense worked to eliminate Widmann from the bases, Epps scampered home for the go-ahead run, 2-1, Clemson through five.
In the seventh, Western reclaimed the advantage for good as Shaft lifted a two-out, two-run shot to right center to push the Catamounts ahead, 3-2. WCU manufactured three insurance runs in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with no outs before Shaft delivered again.
Senior Jason Haynes reached on a throwing error, with the merry-go-round turning around the bases on consecutive singles by Rollison and Hatley. Liles reached on a fielder's choice, with Haynes gunned out at the plate despite leaping over the Tiger catcher in an attempt to score for the first out. Shaft then singled through the right side to drive in two, with sophomore Brent Green bouncing up the middle on a fielder's choice to drive in the final run, 6-2.
Clemson (18-18) threatened in each of the final three innings, putting two runners aboard and twice advancing a runner to third base. In the seventh, a walk and a bunt single put two on with a sacrifice putting men at second and third with one out. However, Saberhagen struck out Widmann and induced a ground ball to the right side with Shaft fielding and tossing on to the pitcher to end the threat.
The next frame, the Tigers tried to utilize a fielding error, eventually pushing Mike Freeman to third on an infield single by first baseman Ben Paulsen. However, during the next batter's turn at the plate, Paulsen attempted a two-out steal and was hung up between first and second. While in a run-down, Freeman tried to race home but was cut down by Greer to senior catcher Blake Murphy to end the inning.
Sexton, who earned his second career save in WCU's win, pitched around a pair of two-out walks in the ninth with a strikeout to end the game.
The Tigers five base hits on the night were scattered among five different players with left fielder Jeff Schaus going 1-for-3 with a walk for the best team average. Sanders' lone hit was a home run, with Epps reaching and scoring on a walk in the loss. Reliever Matt Vaughn suffered his second defeat of the season after giving up the two-run homer to Shaft, with starter Casey Harman posting a no-decision. The two combined for six strikeouts, with closer D.J. Mitchell allowing three earned runs while striking out one in an inning of work.
Western Carolina, winners of two-straight and 10 of its last 14, returns to Southern Conference play this weekend as it visits arch-rival, Appalachian State in Boone.
UNC WILMINGTON 16, THE CITADEL 6
WILMINGTON, N.C. ? A nine-run third inning gave No. 29 UNC Wilmington a 10-0 lead that The Citadel would not be able to recover from as the Bulldogs dropped a 16-6 game at Wilmington Tuesday night.
Matt Reifsnider led The Citadel offensively with a 3-for-5 performance from the plate while Sonny Meade (2-for-5) and Richard Jones (2-for-5) recorded the only other multiple hit performances for the Bulldogs.
The Citadel (22-14) scored six runs on 10 hits but could not capitalize on five Wilmington errors as all but one of the Bulldogs runs in the game were earned. UNC Wilmington (27-7-1) scored 16 runs as all but one Seahawk starter scored in the game. UNCW recorded 18 hits as they faced four Bulldog pitchers.
Matt Talley (1-3) received the loss for The Citadel after allowing eight runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Timmy Martin replaced Talley on the mound, allowing six runs on eight hits in 2.0 innings of work.
The highlight on the mound for The Citadel came in the final 1.2 innings as freshman Drew Mahaffey made his third career appearance, striking out all five batters he faced.
Kyle Lewis (3-0) was credited with the win after pitching 5.0 innings in relief, allowing one unearned run on five hits and striking out two. The four other Bulldog runs were scored off UNCW starter Justin Bradley who received the no-decision after only pitching 3.0 innings and allowing four runs on three hits.
Chris Swauger’s lone hit of the game came as an RBI single to right field as the senior recorded his 163rd career RBI. That mark ties Swauger for fifth all-time at The Citadel in career RBI with Lee Glaze. Swauger is six RBI away from matching Chip Cannon’s fourth-place mark in The Citadel’s record books. Cannon, currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization with the AAA-affiliate Syracuse Chiefs, recorded 169 RBI in his career at The Citadel.
The Citadel, who leaves Wilmington still searching for the program’s first win in the Port City, heads to Greenville, N.C. for a 6 p.m. game at No. 24 East Carolina on Wednesday, April 16.
HIGH POINT 5, ELON 3
HIGH POINT, N.C. ? The High Point Panthers pushed across four third inning runs and held off the Elon Phoenix for a 5-3 non-conference baseball victory from Williard Stadium on Tuesday night. The two teams split their two-game season series, each winning at home. Elon lost for just the 10th time on the year and now sits at 28-10. High Point upped its record to 14-22.
Elon threatened in the second as Cory Harrilchak singled and Ryan Adams drew a one-out walk. Harrilchak moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch, giving the Phoenix runners at the corners with Neal Pritchard at the plate. Pritchard lifted a sac fly to left-center, plating Harrilchak with the first run of the game.
Alfie Wheeler and Max Fulginiti started the Panther third with back-to-back singles before a balk moved the runners to second and third. After Kyle Mahoney walked to load the bags, Jeff Cowan drew a five-pitch walk, forcing home the tying run in Wheeler. A wild pitch from Ken Ferrer gave High Point the lead as Fulginiti raced home with the go-ahead tally. Chris Norwood’s single through the right side of the infield drove home Mahoney and High Point grabbed a 3-1 lead. Cowan scored the fourth run of the frame on a sacrifice fly from Matt Gantner.
Bennett Davis got one back for the Phoenix by leading off the fourth with his 11th home run of the season. This one cleared the fence down the leftfield line.
Cowan delivered High Point’s fifth run in the bottom of the fourth when lined a two-out single to center, scoring Tucker Stobbe who had led off with a walk.
Mike Lobacz reached on an infield single for Elon in the fifth. Donny Jobe pinch-ran and went all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt. A balk scored Jobe, pulling the Phoenix within 5-3.
Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for High Point in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Wheeler lined a ball off the glove of Phoenix pitcher Brian Bodjiak and went right to Jobe at second who fired home for the force out. Fulginiti then flew out to left and the Panthers left the bases loaded and Elon kept its deficit at just two runs.
After a fly out to start the ninth, Elon loaded the bases with back-to-back singles from Dallas Tarleton and Jobe and a walk to pinch-hitter Matt Hinson. For the second consecutive game, Chris Dove grounded into a game-ending double play.
Mikel Rodenberg picked up his first win of the year, going to 1-2. He hurled 5.0 innings and allowed all three Phoenix runs, only two of which were earned. Bubba O’Donnell threw the ninth to claim his sixth save of the season.
Taking the loss for Elon was Ferrer who dropped to 3-2 after allowing five runs in 4.0 innings of work.
Harrilchak and Chase Austin each had two hits for the Phoenix. Harrilchak’s hitting streak reached a season-best nine games.
Gantner, Wheeler and Fulginiti all had two-hit outings for the Panthers.
The Phoenix will play host to 19th-ranked Coastal Carolina at 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon from Latham Park.
UNC ASHEVILLE 6, WOFFORD 5
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 6-5 by UNC Asheville on Tuesday evening at Russell C. King Field. The Bulldogs built a 5-0 lead after four innings. Wofford battled back with five late runs, but it was not enough for the Terriers.
Wofford is now 19-17 on the season and 4-8 in the Southern Conference, while UNC Asheville is 13-24 overall. The Terriers had eight players record hits, while Sterling Dye had two RBIs and Adam Kearney hit a solo home run.
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start, with two runs in the first inning. In the top of the fourth, UNC Asheville led off with a home run by Justin Schumer for a 3-0 lead. Singles by Beau Zinman and Johnny Martinez turned into runs with a double by Kevin Mattison to take a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Mo Seay led off the inning with a single which was followed by a single from Emre Caglayan. Sterling Dye then hit a single and advanced to second on a throw which scored two runs for a 5-2 game.
Wofford added a run in the bottom of the seventh when Adam Kearney hit a home run over the left center fence. In the bottom of the eighth, Shane Kirkley walked, stole second and advanced to third on an error. Emre Caglayan reached first base on an error and Kirkley scored on the play to make it a 5-4 game.
For UNC Asheville in the top of the ninth, the first two batters were retired before Reed Kreiser hit a double to left field. A single from Elliott Arrington drove in Kreiser for a 6-4 lead.
Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Terriers were at the top of the order. A single from Kyle Behrendt , followed by Shane Kirkley reaching base by being hit hard on the left arm, gave the Terriers two runners with two out. Keith Munns entered the game to pinch hit and pounded out a single to left center to score one run. However the Terriers ended the inning with a strikeout and two runners left on base with the 6-5 final score.
Wofford starter John Cornely went 3.1 innings and allowed six runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Reid McElveen threw 2.2 innings with no hits and two strikeouts, while Drew Sheridan went an inning with a strikeout. Scott Summers had three strikeouts in his one inning of work, while Michael Gilmartin closed the final inning with two hits, a run and two strikeouts.
For UNC Asheville, starter Chris Brookey went 4.0 innings with one hit and three strikeouts. Dillon Waters went an inning with three hits and two runs. Jeremy Hall went an inning with a strikeout and Grier Harrington threw an inning with two hit, a run and a strikeout. Justin Schumer went the final two innings with two runs, two hits and four strikeouts.
Wofford left ten runners on base, while the Bulldogs stranded eight. Wofford stole three bases and UNCA stole one base. Both teams had eight hits on the night and the Bulldogs committed the only two errors of the game.
On Wednesday, April 16, Wofford will play at Presbyterian College at 3:00 pm in a game that was added to the schedule. The Terriers will begin a three-game conference series at Furman on Friday night in Greenville.
NORTH CAROLINA 14, UNC GREENSBORO 3
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? UNC Greensboro dropped its sixth contest to an ACC team this season as they suffered a 14-3 loss to No. 4 North Carolina, Tuesday night at UNCG Baseball Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.
Carolina came within three to tie their season high 20 hits as they held the Spartans to just five on the evening. Eight of the total 17 were extra base hits. The Heels tallied two home runs including a two-run shot by Tim Fedroff during a five-run rally in the fourth. In the eighth inning, Fedroff dribbled a single towards second base to complete a triple-double-home run-single cycle ? North Carolina’s first of record in the past five years.
The defeat put a halt to the three-game win streak the Spartans began with a sweep over Wofford this past weekend. They are now 22-13 overall with an 8-4 conference mark. The Tar Heels improve to 30-7 with an ACC record of 8-4.
North Carolina took a 3-0 lead in the opening inning with a two-run home run off the face of the scoreboard by Kyle Shelton and a sacrifice fly to score Tim Fedroff. The Tar Heels bumped themselves up by two more in the second off of a single and a double. With two down and the bases loaded, UNC had the chance to pull out even further, but a diving grab along the first base line by first baseman Ricky Orton put a halt to the drive and left three runners stranded.
In the home half of inning two, the Spartans chipped three away from the Carolina lead. Catcher Adam Deleo sparked the drive with a chopper up the middle to score second baseman Tim Carrier. Sacrifice flies in the next two at-bats brought around two more and put the score at 5-3.
The Tar Heels padded their lead with a five-run rally in the top half of the fourth. Carolina led the inning with back-to-back doubles to score one, before Tim Fedroff crushed a two-run shot over the right field wall. A throwing error and a triple gave Carolina the 10-3 lead.
After three scoreless innings, the Heels went on another run scoring four. Fedroff led things off with a single to complete UNC’s first cycle in five years. He and Chad Flack were then plated by a Kyle Seager triple to right center. The final two runs of the game came in by way of a ground out and a wild pitch.
After holding the Spartans silent in the final two innings, Carolina took the 14-3 victory.
The Spartans were led by Adam Deleo who was 2-for-4 with an RBI. The Tar Heels’ Tim Fedroff was 4-for-4 with four RBI and the cycle.
UNC’s Patrick Johnson (4-1) nabbed the win after five innings on the mound with just one strikeout. UNCG’s starting pitcher Alex Shelton (3-3) suffered the loss after giving up seven runs in his two innings at the rubber. Freshman reliever Warren Slack pitched a season-high 3.1 innings starting in the fifth and led the team with four strikeouts.
The Spartans hit the road this weekend as the travel to Charleston, SC to take on The Citadel Bulldogs. Game times are set for 6pm on Friday, 2pm on Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday.