Samford 20, College of Charleston 13
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. ? Samford pounded out 21 hits and David Schulze was 5-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored to lead the Bulldogs to a 20-13 victory over College of Charleston Friday night in the Southern Conference opener for both teams.
The Cougars (11-4, 0-1 SoCon) struck first in the opening inning with a RBI single to right by junior Jose Rodriguez (Hialeah, Fla./Broward College). Samford (8-5, 1-0) took the lead in the top of the second, scoring three runs on the strength of a two-run single to center by Brad Moss and plating a run on a wild pitch by Charleston sophomore starter David Peterson (Walnut Creek, Calif./Los Comas).
Samford extended its lead to 8-1 with five runs in the third inning. The Bulldogs tallied two on a two-run single by Trey Hayes and Moss picked up his third RBI of the game with a single to left field. Samford brought two more runs across on a fielder’s choice by Wayne Miller and a throwing error by junior 2B Jesse Mesa (Miramar, Fla./Central Florida JC).
Charleston rallied back with five runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 8-6. After Mesa singled to lead off the inning, sophomore 3B Matt Leeds (Boca Raton, Fla./American Heritage) homered to right center for his team-leading fourth round-tripper of the season. Junior DH Rob Kral (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) followed with a single to right center and Rodriguez plated Kral with a RBI double. Junior RF Baker Knox (San Mateo, Fla./Daytona Beach CC) kept things going with a RBI double to center, scoring Rodriguez and would come across on a RBI groundout by junior C Robert Pritcher (Charleston, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist College).
The Bulldogs would score seven runs in the next three innings to take a commanding 15-6 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. David Schulze plated a run in the fourth on a RBI single and Samford scored two in the fifth on a solo home run by Miller and a throwing error by Pritcher. The Bulldogs added four in the sixth on a RBI triple by Michael Johnson, a RBI single by Moss and a two-run single by Mason Meredeth.
CofC would get its bats moving again in the bottom of the sixth, bringing home four runs. Kral ripped a two-run single to the right side and Knox doubled to center field to bring around the other two runs. Samford’s offense kept the pressure on by scoring four more runs in the seventh, while the Cougars added three more in the bottom of the stanza. Kral roped a two-run triple to right center and senior LF Greg Blake (Westerly, R.I./Lake City CC) lined a RBI double off the wall in center. Samford tacked on a final run in the top of the ninth to complete the scoring.
Samford’s Jonathan Stephens earned the victory to improve to 3-0 on the season. The right-hander tossed five innings, allowing eight runs and nine hits with five strikeouts. Schulze led the Bulldogs’ offense, batting 5-for-5 with four runs scored. Miller and Moss added four hits apiece with Moss notching five RBI. Peterson took the loss for the Cougars, giving up five runs on six hits before being taken out in the third inning. Kral led CofC, batting 3-for-3 with three runs and four RBI.
Charleston and Samford meet tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch on Saturday is set for 1 p.m.
The Citadel 4, Western Carolina 0
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel won their Southern Conference opener, 4-0, behind the arm of ace Asher Wojciechowski in a foggy and damp Friday night at Riley Park.
Wojciechowski (Sturgis, Mich.) had one of the best performances of his career at The Citadel as he fired 8.0 innings and struck out 14 batters, the second highest total of his career. The junior gave up six hits and no runs or walks on his way to improving to 4-0 this season. He struck out every Catamount starter at least one time.
"I felt good all night. I was happy with my velocity and command of all my pitches," said Wojciechowski. "It's up there with one of my best pitching performances since I have been here and it's important to get off to a good start to the SoCon season, they are a good team."
The Bulldogs got on the board early as Nick Orvin (Moncks Corner, S.C.) extended his hitting streak to nine games when he led the game off with a hit, the fifth time he has done that in the last six games. Matt Simonelli (Orlando, Fla.) got a base hit up the middle two batters later, and moved to third on a passed ball that scored Orvin. A fielder's choice RBI by Bryan Altman (Summerville, S.C.) brought Simonelli in and gave the Bulldogs an early 2-0 advantage.
The Citadel (9-3, 1-0) would get another run in third as Orvin belted a homer to left, his third of the year and move The Citadel ahead, 3-0. In the fourth, Wojciechowski (4-0) got out of trouble with runners on second and third by striking out designated hitter Cory Cronan. In the bottom half of the inning, Altman led off with a double to center and would eventually come around to score on sac fly by Kyle Jordan (Goose Creek, S.C.) to make it 4-0 in favor of the Bulldogs.
It was the longest outing for "Wojo" since he threw a complete game and struck out 15 against Elon on May 23, 2009 in the Southern Conference Tournament in Greenville, S.C. While the right hander did not complete the game on Friday, it was the furthest outing in a game he has gone in his career without giving up a run. Drew Mahaffey (Summerville, S.C.) pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two to complete the shutout for The Citadel.
"He (Wojciechowski) was very good tonight, he threw four pitches for strikes and pitched both sides of the plate and was in total control all night long," said Head Coach Fred Jordan. "It was a great Friday night battle, we were fortunate to get up early and execute well and that was enough to win."
It was the first shutout for the Bulldogs since they blanked the College of Charleston, 7-0, at Riley Park on May 16, 2009. It was also the first win over Western Carolina at home in the regular season since May 26, 2006 when the Bulldogs doubled up the Catamounts, 4-2.
Western Carolina (10-3, 0-1) starter Jason Sullivan (3-1) pitched the full 8.0 innings for the Catamounts, giving up six hits, four runs, three earned runs and striking out 10 in his first loss of the season. Rightfielder Cameron Dullnig led the Catamount offense as he went 2-for-4 with a double. Orvin led the Bulldogs as he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a home run.
The Citadel returns to action tomorrow in game two of the series against Western Carolina in the opening weekend of Southern Conference play at Riley Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Rain Postpones Davidson-Wofford Game
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Friday's Southern Conference opener between the Davidson Wildcats and the Wofford Terriers has been canceled due to rain.
The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m.
Sunday's finale is still scheduled for 1 p.m.
FRIDAY FURMAN-ELON SERIES OPENER POSTPONED, RESCEDULED AS PART OF SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER
GREENVILLE, S.C. ? Friday’s Furman-Elon Southern Conference baseball series opener has been postponed due to rain in the Greenville area and rescheduled as part of a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Latham Stadium, Furman head coach Ron Smith has announced.
Inclement Weather Postpones Appalachian State Series Opener
The conference foes will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
STATESBORO, GA - Imminent threat of severe storms has caused the postponement of the Southern Conference series opener against Appalachian State on Friday, March 12. Game one of the series will start at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday with the second game following 30 minutes after the conclusion. The three-game set will conclude on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Jake Brown (Forest Hill, Md.) will take the mound for game one against Mountaineer Matt Andress.