College of Charleston 15, Jacksonville 7
Jacksonville, Fla. ? Junior outfielder Jose Rodriguez (Hialeah, Fla.) belted two home runs as College of Charleston used a pair of four-run outbursts to power past host Jacksonville University 15-7 Tuesday afternoon at John Sessions Stadium. The Cougars improve to 4-0 on the season and will host UNC Asheville in a three-game series this weekend at Patriots Point.
Rodriguez finished the game batting 3-for-5 with two homers and a game-high five RBI, while junior second baseman Jesse Mesa (Miramar, Fla.) also went 3-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI.
Charleston jumped to a 3-0 lead after three innings on a RBI groundout by senior shortstop Joey Bergman (Jacksonville, Fla.) in the first and Rodriguez’s two-run blast to right center in the third. The Cougars would extend the lead to 7-0 in the top of the fourth with RBI doubles by Mesa and Bergman and a two-run single down the right field line by junior designated hitter Kolby Epley (Charlotte, N.C.).
Jacksonville got on the board with five runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a two-run shot by Adam Brett Walker, to cut the Cougars’ lead to 7-5. Charleston added two runs in the fifth on a double by Mesa and tacked on another in the sixth before Rodriguez’s second round-tripper of the game, a three-run blast to left center in the seventh, capped a four-run seventh and extended the CofC lead to 14-5.
The Dolphins made it 14-6 in the eighth on Dan Gulbransen’s RBI double to left, while Charleston added another run in the ninth when junior Jamie Holler (Rock Hill, S.C.) scored from second on a throwing error. Jacksonville closed the scoring with a single run in the ninth on Chris Connelly’s RBI single to right field.
Senior Tom Schiller (Rochester, N.Y.) got the win for the Cougars, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts in three innings of relief of freshman starter Jake Zokan (Columbia, S.C.). Jacksonville’s Sean Kennedy took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on eight hits with one strikeout in 3.1 innings.
The Cougars host UNC Asheville this weekend in a three-game series at Patriots Point. Game one is Friday evening at 5:00 p.m.
Western Carolina 5, Charlotte 3
Charlotte, N.C. ? Tyler Kirkpatrick belted a pair of home runs and accounted for three RBI as Western Carolina remained perfect on the season, downing Charlotte, 5-3, in nonconference action Tuesday night at Hayes Stadium.
Kirkpatrick additionally made a bare-handed grab on a slow-rolling ground ball, tossing it across the diamond for the final out in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. He finished 2-for-4 in the win for the Catamounts, which improved to 4-0.
Junior Matt Benedict scattered eight hits while allowing just three runs ? two of which were earned ? through six and a third to earn the win in the start. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native balanced a pair of walks with two strikeouts to pick up the win. Freshman Mat Batts struck out the lone batter he faced, while set-up man Brandon Johnson fanned three of the four batters he faced in an inning and a third of relief.
Closer Daniel Ottone allowed one hit with one strikeout in earning his second save in four games this season.
Freshman Tyler White opened the scoring for WCU with a solo home run to left field in the second inning for the early, 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Kirkpatrick blasted his first of two long balls with a shot to right-center field for the two-run edge.
Charlotte (1-2) cut the Catamount advantage to one in the third before WCU stretched it back to a three-run edge with a two-spot in the fourth. Ross Heffley walked on five pitches to lead off the frame while White was hit by the second pitch of his at bat to put two one with nobody out. Freshman Cory Cronan executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position.
Matt Johns then singled off the pitchers mound as his fast-moving ground ball was catapulted off the side of the hill out of the reach of Charlotte third baseman, Kevin Gillespie, allowing Heffley to scamper home. Kirkpatrick then drove home his second run of the night with a groundout to his counterpart at third scoring White for the 4-1 edge.
With WCU leading by one, 4-3, Kirkpatrick handed the Catamounts an insurance run with a line drive home run over the left field fence for his second round-tripper of the night and a two-run, 5-3, advantage.
Charlotte had two players post multi-hit games led by first baseman Ryan Rivers with a 2-for-4 showing including a double and two RBI. Cory Shaylor also finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Starter Tim Lysaught was saddled with the loss after being chased after three and a third, allowing four earned runs on two hits with a walk against four strikeouts. Reliever Kelly McLain also threw three and a third, scattering three hits and striking out five in scoreless relief to keep the 49ers close in the middle innings.
Western Carolina returns home for a three-game set against Eastern Kentucky, the alma mater of Catamount skipper Bobby Moranda. The two squads played a five-hour marathon game a season ago with WCU edging out a one-run, 24-23, win over the Colonels. All told, the two squads combined for 47 runs, 47 hits and 12 errors in a game that took five hours and six minutes to complete. The two also combined to strand 25 base runners, 18 by the Catamounts alone.
Elon 8, High Point 3
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Matt Hinson's pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth inning propelled the Elon Phoenix to an 8-3 non-conference victory over the High Point Panthers on Tuesday afternoon. The Phoenix improved to 4-0 on the season while High Point dropped to 1-2.
The Panthers jumped on top in the second with a run. With one out, Kyle Mahoney singled up the middle and moved to second when Max Fulginiti followed with a walk. Andrew Bartlett's single up the middle plated Mahoney with the first tally of the contest.
It stayed that way until the sixth when Elon got a leadoff single from Niko Fraser. Neal Pritchard then reached on an error before being erased when Mike Melillo reached on a fielder's choice that left runners on the corners. After Ryan Adams walked to load the bases, Alex Maruri lifted a sacrifice fly to center to knot the contest at one.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Steve Antolik doubled to left. Mike Mercurio was then hit by a pitch to put two aboard for pinch-hitter Zach Tessier who singled to plate Antolik. Murray White IV was then plunked to load the bases. The Panther lead reached 3-1 when Mercurio scored on a wild pitch. Elon intentionally walked Matt Gantner with two away before John Brebbia came on to fan Mahoney.
In the top of the eighth, Pritchard singled to right and trotted to second when Melillo was walked. With one out, pinch-hitter Alex Swim singed up the middle to drive home Pritchard and pull the Phoenix within one at 3-2. Hinson then pinch-hit and crushed the first pitch he saw deep over the wall in right-center to put Elon on top 5-3. Of Hinson's 14 career hits, seven are home runs.
Elon tacked on two more when Pritchard ripped a ball well over the wall in left-center which also brought home Justin Hilt who had led off the frame with a walk. With two away Adams went deep for the first time this year as he sent a solo shot out to right.
John Brebbia (1-0) picked up the win out of the bullpen for the Phoenix. He threw just a third of an inning and gave up one hit and struck out one. Jared Kernodle was solid in his first career start for the maroon and gold. Kernodle went 5.0 innings, allowing just one run on six hits and a walk. He also fanned a career-high five hitters.
Panther closer Mikel Rodenberg (0-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs on four hits in 2.0 innings. Starter Brian Jones did not allow a run while striking out six in 5.0 innings of action.
Pritchard recorded three of Elon's nine hits and was the only Phoenix player with a multi-hit outing. He also scored twice and drove in two.
White, Fulginiti and Bartlett all had two-hit games for High Point.
The Phoenix will take flight to Houston, Texas where it will participate in the Rice Invitational beginning on Friday. In its first game, Elon will take on host Rice at 5:30 p.m. Eastern before facing Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Samford 9, Troy 7
TROY, Ala.?The Samford baseball team pounded out 14 hits on its way to a 9-7 win at in-state rival Troy Tuesday evening at Riddle-Pace Field.
Samford was led at the plate by Stephen Ballard, going 3-for-5 with a double, an inside-the-park grand slam and five RBI. Wayne Miller went 4-for-6 with a triple and two RBI. David Schulze and Trey Hayes each homered for the Bulldogs in the win.
Clint Jones earned the win for the Bulldogs, pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief. Lex Rutledge pitched the final 2.0 innings without allowing a hit to earn his first save.
For Troy, Adam Bryan and Chase Whitley each went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Bryant and Steven Felix each homered for the Trojans. Drew Hull pitched 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on six hits to take the loss.
Samford jumped on top first with a run in the top of the first inning. After Miller led the game off with a single, Ballard doubled to right-center field to drive in Miller for a 1-0 Samford lead.
Troy came back with a run in the bottom of the second inning to tie the score at 1-1. Steven Rosado singled up the middle to drive in Whitley for the Trojans’ first run of the game.
Troy took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan Ditthardt doubled to right-center field to drive in Miles Hoyle with the go-ahead run. Whitley then singled to drive in Ditthardt to make the score 3-1.
Samford took the lead back with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Ballard hit an inside-the-par grand slam with Miller, Hayes and Brad Moss on base for a 5-3 lead. Ballard hit the ball off the center field wall to drive in all four runs.
Troy came back with one run in the fifth inning to cut the Samford lead to 5-4. Whitley hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Bryant to cut the lead to one run.
Samford added two runs in the top of the sixth inning to push its lead to 7-4. Miller tripled to right field to drive in Michael Johnson and Moss for a three-run Samford lead.
Troy plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Samford lead to 7-6. Bryant hit a home run with Felix on base to make it a one-run game.
Samford added a run in the top of the seventh inning when Schulze led the inning off with a solo home run to make the score 8-6.
Troy cut the Samford lead to 8-7 with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Felix led the inning off with a home run to right-center field for the Trojans’ seventh run of the game. The Trojans loaded the bases with one out later in the inning, but Rutledge got Blake Martz to ground into a double play to end the threat.
Samford put one final run on the board in the top of the ninth inning to make the final score 9-7. Hayes led the inning off with a solo home run for the final run of the game.
With the win, Samford improves to 3-2 on the season. Troy drops to 3-1 with the loss.
Samford will return to action on Friday, Feb. 26, when the Bulldogs begin a three-game series at Kennesaw State. Friday’s series-opening game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. (CT) start.
Appalachian State 8, Gardner-Webb 2
FOREST CITY, N.C. - On the strength of a third-straight impressive pitching display to open the 2010 season, Appalachian State University baseball defeated Gardner-Webb, 8-2, on Tuesday afternoon at McNair Field.
Appalachian (3-0), which allowed just one total run and held opposing hitters to a miniscule .145 batting average in wins over Presbyterian and USC Upstate last weekend, surrendered just one earned run on seven hits in Tuesday's victory. Taylor Miller (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield), Will Helms (Charlotte, N.C./Providence), Nathan Hyatt (Brevard, N.C./Brevard) and Chris Patterson (Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County) combined to toss Tuesday's gem.
ASU actually trailed for the first time all season when Gardner-Webb (0-4) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. However, the deficit was short-lived, as a two-run single by true freshman Tyler Zupcic (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) gave Appalachian a 2-1 advantage in the top of the third.
David Towarnicky (New Bern, N.C./New Bern) stretched the lead to 3-1 with a solo home run ? his first hit of the year ? in the top of the fourth and that would be all the Mountaineers would need, as GWU would only manage to plate an unearned run in the fifth against the Apps' hurlers the rest of the way. ASU tacked on a single tally in the seventh and four in the ninth to account for the final margin.
Miller (1-0) recorded the win in his first outing of the year, allowing just one run and striking out three while working four innings of the planned split start. Patterson earned his first save of the season by closing out the game with two scoreless stanzas.
Zupcic (3-for-4, three RBI) and Towarnicky (3-for-5, two RBI) paced the Mountaineers' 12-hit attack. Wes Hobson (Winston-Salem, N.C./North Forsyth) also drove in two runs in the winning effort.
Appalachian returns to McNair Field this weekend when it and Gardner-Webb co-host the inaugural North-South Challenge. ASU plays Niagara on Friday at 3 p.m., 2009 NCAA Regional participant Marist on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Niagara again on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Davidson 16, North Carolina Central 2
DURHAM, N.C. -- Sophomore second baseman James Cerbie and freshman third baseman Andrew Barna each recorded three hits and drove in three runs to pace the Davidson Wildcats to a 16-2 win over N.C. Central at Durham Athletic Park Tuesday night.
As a team, Davidson (2-2) collected 17 hits, including three by sophomore first baseman Drew Gadaire and junior designated hitter Will General and a pair by junior right fielder Sam Payne.
Sophomore Brian Russell (1-0) earned the win after allowing just one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings of work in a scheduled limited start. Thomas Middour, Ian Horkley, Mac Read, Michael Loeb and Mike Frongello combined to allow just one run on two hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief.
The Wildcat pitchers limited N.C. Central (0-4) to just four hits, led by right fielder Edwar Pegues with a pair. Jaspe Jones (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles, after allowing six runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Davidson got a pair of runs to kick off the game, as Payne drew a leadoff walk in the first at-bat. After Cerbie drew a walk in the very next, Payne took third on a balk as Jones continued to struggle. He was caught stealing home though, as the Eagles saved a run, but Gadaire singled up the middle to send Cerbie in. A batter later, Gadaire scored from third on a throwing error by catcher Etienne Farq.
The Wildcats added four more runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead. Jones got in trouble to start the third again, walking Cerbie and hitting Gadaire and Weiss to load the bases. Senior catcher Tommy Piacenza drove a run in with a sacrifice fly, and General doubled in another. Brando Otis entered in relief for the Eagles, allowing a two-RBI double to Barna before getting the final two outs of the frame.
Akem Hood drove in a run for the Eagles in the third inning, scoring Etienn who reached on a one-out walk, but Davidson added four more an inning later to jump out to a 9-1 lead. General led off with a double, and Barna followed with a single through the left side. General scored as sophomore left fiedler Jake Berman grounded out, and freshman shortstop Michael Loeb doubled in Barna a batter later. Cerbie and Gadaire followed with back-to-back singles to score the last two runs on the inning.
The Wildcats added a run in the sixth on a solo home run from General, and got another pair in each the seventh and eighth and one more in the ninth for the final 16-2. Barna drew a bases-loaded walk, and freshman Coleman Barron drove in the second run of the seventh after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Cerbie hit a two-run home run to follow Payne's lead off double in the eighth, and Payne singled in sophomore Calvin Sigelbaum (triple) for the 'Cats' final run of the game.
N.C. Central scored its final run in the bottom of the ninth as Blake Murry converted a leadoff walk into a score when Antho Wilson grounded out.
Davidson will return to action this weekend, hosting Mt. Saint Mary's and Presbyterian in four games at Wilson Field. The Wildcats kick off the weekend with a 6 p.m. contest against Mt. Saint Mary's at 6 p.m. Friday.
#3 Georgia Tech 10, Georgia Southern 0
STATESBORO, GA - Two Georgia Tech pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout as the third-ranked Yellow Jackets downed Georgia Southern 10-0 on Tuesday night at J.I. Clements Stadium.
A gathering of 2,782 fans ? the second-largest home crowd in Eagle history ? watched Georgia Tech utilize a balanced attack to build an 8-0 lead through five innings.
Georgia Southern’s bullpen limited the Yellow Jackets (4-0) to two runs (one earned) on three hits in the last 4.1 innings, but the Eagles (1-3) were limited to four singles, including two infield hits.
Georgia Tech starter Mark Pope (1-0) surrendered all four Georgia Southern hits in six innings of work. He had seven strikeouts and no walks before yielding to Luke Bard, who had three strikeouts and no walks in three innings to notch his first save of the season.
The Yellow Jackets collected with nine hits, drew eight walks and benefitted from three Eagle errors that led to three unearned runs. Chase Burnett went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs to pace Georgia Tech, which got hits from six different players.
Georgia Southern starter Chris Beck (0-1) was charged with the loss. He pitched 4.2 innings, giving up eight runs (six earned) on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks.
Beck didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings, but he and the Eagles still found themselves in an early hole. In the top of the second, the Yellow Jackets scored two unearned runs on two walks, a misplayed popup in foul territory that gave a batter new life, and a dropped fly ball in left field.
In the top of the fourth, Thomas Nichols had an RBI single and Cole Leonida added a two-run double as Georgia Tech posted three runs for a 5-0 advantage.
The Yellow Jackets added three more runs in the top of the fifth. Matt Skole had an RBI double, Jay Dantzler had a one-run single and Jason Esch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded as Georgia Tech’s lead grew to 8-0.
The Yellow Jackets added single runs in the eighth and ninth innings on Burnette’s single and Jeff Rowland’s sacrifice fly, respectively.
Ryan Sadler pitched 1.2 scoreless innings for the Eagles. Michael Hester gave up one unearned run in 1.1 innings. For Georgia Southern’s offense, Michael Burruss was 1-for-2 while Eric Phillips, Eric Blackburn and Kevin Bowles were each 1-for-4.
The two teams will complete the two-game series on Wednesday (Feb. 24) at 4 p.m.
#11 North Carolina 12, UNC Greensboro 2
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? No. 11 North Carolina scored five runs in the first three innings and never looked back as UNC Greensboro fell to the Tar Heels, 12-2, on Tuesday evening in Boshamer Stadium.
Garrett Davis recorded his first career win for the Tar Heels (4-0) after allowing two runs on just two hits and striking out a career-high five batters. Warren Slack was credited with the loss for the Spartans (3-1) after giving up one run on three hits in two innings of work.
Dillon Hazlett led the Heels at the plate as he went 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Seven other Tar Heels had at least one RBI in the game. Ed Jayjack hit a two-run home run to lead all UNCG hitters and was one of just three Spartans to record a hit.
The Tar Heels started the scoring in the bottom half of the first inning when Dillon Hazlett hit a two-out single through the left side to score Levi Michael to give UNC a 1-0 lead.
Jacob Stallings led off the bottom of the third inning with a double and later scored on a single to right field to give UNC a 2-0 lead. The Tar Heels would go on to score three more runs in the inning, highlighted by Brian Goodwin’s two-RBI triple down the right field line to make it 5-0.
The Spartans were able to pull within 5-2 in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a blast by Jayjack. After Lloyd Enzor led off the inning with a walk, Jayjack took a 2-1 pitch well over the wall in right center for his second home run of the season.
The Tar Heels went on to add a run in the fourth inning on a two-out single by Michael. Tarron Robinson made it a 7-2 in the fifth inning with a solo blast to right field which was his first home run on the year.
UNC went on to add two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh and three runs in the eighth to make the final score 12-2.
The Spartans return to the diamond this weekend as they host Albany for a three-game series starting on Friday at 4 p.m.
Charleston Southern 7, Furman 5
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? Nick Chinners and Tyler Thornburg stroked consecutive solo home runs in the eighth inning to power Charleston Southern to a 7-5 victory over Furman in baseball action action Tuesday afternoon at CSU Ballpark.
With the score tied 5-5, Chinners led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo shot to right center field off Paladin reliever Kevin Gottlieb and Thornburg followed with a blast to left field to give the Buccaneers a 7-5 lead.
Corey Deighan (1-0) issued a leadoff walk in the Furman ninth but induced J.B. Jenkins into a double play before retiring Will Owens for the final out to secure the victory.
Charleston Southern (2-2) fell behind 4-0 before mounting the comeback.
Furman (0-4) grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Will Miller’s three-run home run to left field off Buccaneer starter Andrew White.
The Paladins made it 4-0 an inning later after Paul Nitto delivered a leadoff single, advanced to third base on a hit-and-run single to right field by Will Owens, and came home on following an errant throw to third base by Thornburg.
The Buccaneers got on the board in third with an RBI single by Brantley Meier, but the Paladins answered with a another run in the fourth on a solo home run to left field by Jenkins, which made it 5-1.
Furman freshman Nate Smith, making his first collegiate start, kept it a 5-1 game through five innings before departing and allowing just two hits, a run, and a walk while striking out two.
Smith’s solid start was spoiled by the Paladin bullpen, which surrendered four runs in the sixth. Paladin reliever Bobby Lyne yielded a sacrifice fly by Chinners and with two outs Thornburg walked and later scored on a double by Matt Still. Walt Quattlebaum’s RBI single plated Still, and Derek Smith capped the inning with a line drive double off the left field wall to score Quattlebaum and tie the game at 5-5.
Gottlieb retired CSU in order in the seventh before yielding the decisive home runs in the eighth.
While Furman’s bullpen struggled, Charleston Southern’s relief corps dominated, working five scoreless, no-hit innings behind solid work by Tyler Vick and Deighan (1-0), who earned the victory.
Furman entertains Charlotte on Wednesday in a 4:00 p.m. game.