UNC Greensboro 7, Davidson 1
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? UNC Greensboro starter Colby Hyatt pitched the first complete game for UNCG since 2007 as the Spartans defeated Davidson, 7-1, on Wednesday evening at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The game clinched the series win for the Spartans over the Wildcats this season.
Hyatt, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, allowed just one run on six hits over the nine innings for the Spartans (14-15, 2-9 Southern Conference). The lone blemish for Hyatt was allowing a leadoff solo home run in the top of the sixth inning.
Davidson starter Ian Horkley was credited with the loss for the Wildcats (13-16, 4-10 SoCon) after allowing four runs on six hits in three innings of work.
Eric Brindle sparked the Spartans at the plate by going 3-4 with two RBI and Lloyd Enzor also added a pair of hits and two RBI. Leadoff hitter Harry Slade continued his hot play as of late with a double and a triple as well as two runs scored.
The Wildcats were led by Michael Zeblo who went 1-3 with a home run. Will General also chipped in a pair of hits for the visitors.
The Spartans immediately gave Hyatt some support as they score at least one run in the first three innings. Slade led off the first for UNCG by being hit by a pitch. Chris Barker followed and laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the catcher’s throw to first sailed into right field to allow Slade to move to third and Barker to second.
After a fly out by UNCG, Ray Quinones slapped a single to right field to score Slade and put the Spartans ahead, 1-0.
Slade once again started it for UNCG as he reached on a fielder’s choice in the second inning to put two outs on the board. Barker followed with a single and Corey Overholtzer delivered a single to center field to score Slade and make it a 2-0 game.
With two outs in the third inning, Enzor singled to right field and then Zach Leach was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Brindle then cleared the bases and he delivered a triple into the right field corner to give the Spartans a 4-0 lead.
Hyatt cruised through the first few batters as he was effective from the first pitch by forcing batters to put the ball in play and allowing his defense to work behind him. He retired the first 10 batters on six groundouts and four fly outs before yielding a walk to Sam Payne. He quickly worked out of that in the fourth inning by inducing Danny Weiss into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.
Andrew Barna had a leadoff single for Davidson in the fifth inning to break up Hyatt’s no-hitter and General followed with another single to put two runners on for the Wildcats. Hyatt retired the next three batters to work out of that jam.
The Wildcats finally were able to touch Hyatt in the top of the sixth inning as Zeblo took a 3-1 pitch over the wall in right field to pull the Wildcats within 4-1.
That was as close as Davidson would get though as the Spartans immediately gave Hyatt three more insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth. With one out, Barker drew a walk before Overholtzer singled to put runners on first and second. After a fly out made it two outs, Ed Jayjack walked to load the bases.
After a Wildcat pitching change, Enzor delivered a single to right field to score Barker and Overholtzer. Leach followed with a single of his own to score Jayjack and push the Spartan lead to 7-1.
Hyatt continued to control the Wildcat batters through the final innings as he ended up retiring the side in order in six of the nine innings.
The Spartans will continue SoCon play this weekend as they make the trip to Birmingham, Ala. to face Samford in a three-game series beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. CDT.
Western Carolina 14, Tennessee 9
Knoxville, Tenn. ? Western Carolina scored five runs in both the top of the first and third innings, and pounded out 14 hits in downing the Tennessee Volunteers, 14-9, Wednesday night in nonconference action at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Behind a solid performance by walk-on freshman right-hander Jeremy Sluder, seven Catamount pitchers combined in the winning effort, striking out 12 in helping WCU earn just its second win over Tennessee on the diamond in the last 11 meetings. It was also the second-time WCU has won in three meetings against former skipper, Todd Raleigh.
All told offensively, six Catamount hitters posted multiple-hit games and four tallied multi-RBI performances in the mid-week win, WCU’s seventh over a top 100 RPI team this season. The Cats blasted four home runs, legged out three doubles and a triple, while also stealing eight bases, including three by senior Dylan de Graaf to compliment his 2-for-5 performance at the plate which featured a two-RBI triple.
Matt Benedict (3-0) picked up the victory after working two innings of one-run, one-hit relief of starter, freshman Taylor Sandefur, as the Catamounts went deep into their staff by design. Benedict struck out two as seven WCU hurlers combined to fan a dozen Vol hitters. Sluder was the most efficient pitcher on either side, working three innings and allowing just one unearned run on two hits with a walk and a career-high four strikeouts.
“I’m very proud of the team effort and our aggressive approach tonight,” said head coach Bobby Moranda who guided WCU to its second win over the Vols since 2008. “We executed our system ? especially offensively ? in picking up this key road, nonconference win. Jeremy Sluder was the key to our game. He came in and did a great job and really competed on the mound. For me, he was the star among many solid performances tonight.”
Senior Tyler Kirkpatrick finished 2-for-3 for the Catamounts including hammering the first of four Catamount home runs with a two-run shot for his two RBI while adding a double. Sophomore Ross Heffley also lifted a two-run homer over the fence in left field, driving in a team-best three runs as a part of his 2-for-3 showing at the dish.
Nine batters came to the plate in the opening inning for Western Carolina (19-8-1) as the Catamounts pushed across five runs for the early, 5-0 lead. The frame was highlighted by three extra base hits including RBI doubles by Heffley and Tyler White, who finished 2-for-5, as well as de Graaf’s two RBI triple.
The Vols answered in the home half of the first with a three-spot to trim the margin to two, 5-3.
In the third, Cameron Dullnig singled up the middle for his second base hit of the night, advancing to third on a pair of wild pitches before trotting home on Kirkpatrick’s towering home run to left center field. Consecutive hit batsmen in Austin Schultz and Trevor Collias put two aboard with a double-steal moving the runners to second and third when Matt Johns drove in a run on an infield ground out. With Collias on third, Heffley homered to left to cap the scoring with WCU ahead, 10-3.
Tennessee (15-15) would close to within three runs in the fifth by pushing across three runs to trim the Catamount lead to 10-7. Blake Forsythe drilled a two RBI triple down the right field line to score the first two runs, with him scoring on an RBI ground out.
However, a one-out solo home run by catcher Ollie Goulder in the top of the seventh and a two-run homer by Collias in the top of the ninth helped the Catamounts keep Tennessee at bay.
UT’s P.J. Polk opened the home half of the eighth with a full count home run to again trim the deficit to three ahead of Collias’ round-tripper in the ninth. Following Polk’s shot, Brandon Johnson struck out the side with closer Daniel Ottone fanning two amidst the three final outs of the game for a combined five of the final six outs recorded on K’s.
For the Volunteers, starter Aaron Tullo (1-1) suffered the loss after being chased in the first inning, officially allowing four earned runs on four hits in only two-thirds of an inning pitched. Josh Liles posted a 3-for-5 showing to lead Tennessee at the plate while Blake Forsythe drove in four runs on a 2-for-5 night with a double and a triple in the losing effort.
Western Carolina returns home this weekend to wrap-up a stretch where 10-of-11 games have been played inside the friendly confines of Childress Field / Hennon Stadium by hosting the Wofford College Terriers for a three-game Southern Conference series. First pitch Friday is 6:00 pm, with Saturday’s game at 3:00 pm and Sunday’s finale at 2:00 pm.
It is WCU Faculty / Staff Appreciation Weekend, presented by Vantage Pointe Homes (www.vantagepointehomes.com) with all faculty and staff members, as well as their families gaining free admission all weekend by presenting a valid University ID.
Prior to Saturday afternoon’s game, Bethany Bradsher and Lynn LeClair, the widow of former WCU player and coach the late Keith LeClair, will be on hand selling and signing copies of the new book, “Coaching Third: the Keith LeClair Story” which documents the baseball life and battle with ALS ? otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Bradsher and LeClair will be at the stadium beginning at 2:00 pm.
The Citadel 10, Winthrop 8 (11 inn.)
Rock Hill, S.C. - Brad Felder's two-run homer in the eleventh and Matt Reifsnider's career high 6.1 scoreless innings in relief, gave The Citadel a 10-8 win over Winthrop on Wednesday night at the Winthrop Ballpark in front of 1,017 fans.
The Bulldogs got on the board in the top of the first inning when Brad Felder (Orangeburg, S.C.) singled and stole second. Matt Simonelli (Orlando, Fla.) then singled over the shortstop's head to score Felder and put The Citadel in front, 1-0.
A walk by Bulldog start Austin Pritcher (Charleston, S.C.) to Winthrop leadoff man Tyler and a homer by cleanup man Chas Crane allowed Winthrop to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the first. The Eagles would manufacture another run in the second when Sean Sullivan drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice, stole third base and scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-1.
The Citadel and Winthrop would both put up five runs in the fifth as William Ladd (Winnsboro, S.C.) and Nick Orvin (Moncks Corner, S.C.) led the inning off with singles to chase Winthrop starter Matt Pierpont.
Tommy Lawrence came out of the bullpen in relief and hit Felder to load the bases as both benches quickly cleared. Bulldog catcher Bryan Altman (Summerville, S.C.) was ejected in the incident. Singles by Simonelli and new catcher Grant Richards (Morrisville, N.C.) would score Ladd and Orvin. A groundout by Justin Mackert (Cleveland, Ohio) and a sac fly by Kyle Jordan (Goose Creek, S.C.) would score Felder and Simonelli and a base hit up by the middle by David Greene (Columbia, S.C.) would score Richards to cap the Bulldog scoring in the fifth.
Winthrop would respond in the bottom half of the fifth as Pierpont led off with a single and advanced to second on the fourth sac bunt of the game by the Eagles. He then scored on a double by Cook. A bloop single to center by Eddie Rohan then scored Cook to cut the lead to 6-5. Crane then doubled to deep center to score Rohan and tie the game at six. A homer by Matt Thielepape over the right center field wall would score Crane and make it 8-6 in favor of the Eagles. A pair of singles then put runners on the corners to chase Pritcher. Matt Reifsnider (Ormand Beach, Fla.) came in and induced a groundout to second to end the threat.
Pritcher went 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits, eight runs, two walks and a strikeout. Pierpont went 4.0 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, no walks and striking out three.
The Bulldogs would tie the game in the top of the seventh when Richards reached on a single, followed by a double by Mackert. A base hit by Jordan would score Richards and Mackert and knot the game at eight.
The eighth and ninth innings remained scoreless between both squads. In the top of the eleventh, Orvin led off the inning with a single against Eagles reliever Ken Monteith. Felder then proceeded to launch a two-run homer over the right field wall to put the Bulldogs up, 10-8.
"I really just tried to put the ball in play tonight, after I struggled yesterday," said Felder. "It was a big win on the road for us tonight, especially after how yesterday's game went. We have a big non-conference series coming up this weekend and it was important to gain momentum."
Reifsnider (1-0) pitched a career-high 6.1 innings in relief, scattering five hits, giving up no runs and striking out three to earn his first win of the year. Monteith took the loss, falling to 0-1.
Felder led the Bulldogs with a career-high four hits, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Greene went 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Richards, Orvin, Ladd, Mackert and Simonelli all collected two hits each. For Winthrop, Crane went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.
"I thought we played very well tonight, Winthrop has got a very good ballclub," said head coach Fred Jordan. "We hung tough all night and it was a great win in the end. Matt Reifsnider threw the ball very well tonight for us. He was very patient, had good rhythm and didn't try to overthrow the ball."
The Citadel returns home to begin a three-game non-conference tilt with Indiana State on Friday at 4 p.m.
No. 8 South Carolina 6, No. 26 College of Charleston 3
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Nick Ebert went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI as #8 South Carolina scored six early runs and held on for a 6-3 victory over #26 College of Charleston Wednesday evening at Carolina Stadium. The Cougars fall to 23-7 on the season and will travel to face Southern Conference foe Furman University this weekend for a three-game set.
South Carolina opened the scoring in the bottom half of the opening inning, plating a pair of runs of Charleston freshman starter Jake Zokan (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley). After Zokan retired the first two Gamecock batters, Parker Bangs singled to left field, but advanced to second when junior LF Jose Rodrigiuez (Hialeah, Fla./Broward College) bobbled the ball. Ebert followed with a RBI double down the left-field line and Adam Matthews took a 3-2 pitch up the middle to bring home Ebert and give the home team the early 2-0 lead.
The Gamecocks doubled their lead to 4-0 in the third inning as Whit Merrifield led off with a single through the left side, stole second and two batters later, Ebert took a 3-0 pitch from Zokan over the left field fence for his third home run off the season. The pitch would be Zokan's last of the evening as junior RHP Josh Salay (Rock Hill, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist College) came in relief and retired the last batter on strikes.
Single runs in the fourth and fifth innings gave South Carolina a 6-0 lead as Merrifield hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Kyle Enders in the fourth. A RBI single through the left side by Adrian Morales that scored Bangs in the next inning increased the Gamecocks' lead to a half-dozen.
Charleston broke through with a pair of runs in the sixth as junior CF Cole Rakar (Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando) led off with a solo home run to left on a 2-2 pitch by South Carolina starter Colby Holmes. Junior C Rob Kral (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) walked and sophomore 3B Matt Leeds (Boca Raton, Fla./American Heritage) lined a single into right field to put runners at the corners. After reliever Jose Mata retired Rodriguez, the Gamecocks brought in Steven Neff to face junior 2B Baker Knox (San Mateo, Fla./Daytona Beach CC), who roped a RBI double to left center, scoring Kral from third.
The Cougars added a solo run in the eighth, as Leeds took a 1-0 pitch over the right-center field wall for his 13th home run of the season and 42nd RBI, both team-highs. Leeds and Knox led Charleston with two hits apiece.
Zokan took the loss, falling to 2-1 on the season, allowing four runs and five hits in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts. Holmes improved to 2-0 on the season for South Carolina, scattering four hits and giving up two runs in five innings of work.
Charleston Southern 9, Furman 8
GREENVILLE, S.C. ? Charleston Southern rallied for six runs in the ninth inning to defeat Furman, 9-8, in baseball action Wednesday evening at Latham Stadium.
The win improves Charleston Southern to 14-18 on the season while the loss drops Furman to 9-20.
The Buccaneers’ decisive six-run rally was supported by four singles, an error, and two wild pitches.
Trailing 8-3 heading to the ninth and facing Paladin closer Nick Karow, the Buccaneers (14-18) loaded the bases with two hits and a hit batsman before Jon Matthews stroked a two-run single to right field to make it 8-5.
Harrison Wilkins’ single off Karow’s replacement, Marc DeDecker, again loaded the bases, and CSU made it an 8-6 game when the Paladins turned a Tom Burkett fielder’s choice grounder into an error after Cameron Allmendinger dropped a throw from shortstop J.B. Jenkins on an attempted force play at third base.
With one out Tyler Thornburg drew a bases loaded walk to pull the Buccaneers to within a run, and Charleston Southern tied it at 8-8 on a wild pitch, which allowed Wilkins to score.
After getting the second out on fielder’s choice tag at the plate, the Paladins saw the Buccaneers take the lead when Thornburg sprinted home on DeDecker’s second wild pitch of the frame.
In the Furman ninth, Will Muzika drew a one-out walk, but was picked off, and Dylan Cole fouled out to first base to end the game.
The ninth inning meltdown spoiled a solid pitching effort from Paladin starter Bobby Lyne, who allowed an unearned run on two hits over three innings. His replacement, Nate Smith, was even better, working three inning of scoreless, one-hit ball.
The Paladins used a two-run first inning home run by Will Muzika to grab the early lead, and tallied three more in the fourth on a solo home run by Paul Nitto, an RBI single by Christian Datoc, and Will Owens’ RBI groundout for a 5-1 advantage.
Leading 6-1 after six, the Paladins and Buccaneers both tallied a pair of runs in the seventh to make it an 8-3 contest.
Muzika went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs to lead Furman, and Will Owens, Paul Nitto, and Will Miller also collected two hits apiece for the Paladins.
Charleston Southern was paced by Brantely Meier’s 2-for-4, three-run performance that also included a two-run home run in the seventh.
The win went to Tim Flight (1-0), who worked the eighth for the Buccaneers.
DeDecker (0-1) was charged with the loss.
Stew Brase earned his third save of the year after retiring the Paladins in the ninth.
Furman opens a three-game Southern Conference series on Friday against the College of Charleston beginning at 7:00 p.m.