Furman 4, USC Upstate 0
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Nate Smith pitched eight innings of three-hit ball to propel Furman to a 4-0 victory over USC Upstate in baseball action Wednesday evening at Latham Stadium.
The win helped Furman (11-12) gain the two-game season series split with USC Upstate (8-13).
Smith (1-3), a sophomore left-hander who retired the first 11 batters he faced, pitched around a pair of singles in the fourth and one in the fifth on the way to the longest outing of his career. He issued his only walk of the fray leading off the ninth and was pulled for Drake Browne, who came on to get the final three outs in the contest, which consumed just one hour and 59 minutes.
The Paladins got all the runs they would need in the fifth, using left center field doubles by Alex Abrams and Rob Fondu and an error to plate three runs off Spartans' starting pitcher David Roseboom. A Dylan Cole groundout scored Abrams and a bases loaded walk by Aaron Thompkins forced in forced in Cole. Reese Wade completed the three run frame with an RBI grounder that drove home Fondu.
The Paladins added another run in the eighth after loading the bases with no outs. Will Miller, who led off the inning with a single to center field, scored on a double play grounder to make it 4-0.
Both teams managed just four hits apiece, with Will Owens, Miller, Abrams, and Fondu accounting for the Paladins' base hits.
Smith's eight-plus innings of work required 100 pitches, including 67 strikes. He walked one and struck out one.
Roseboom (0-5) took the loss after working 4 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and three runs, only one of which was earned, and five walks. He fanned four.
Furman, which has won five of its last six games, will open a three-game Southern Conference series Friday at Latham Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Western Carolina 8, Gardner-Webb 8 (tie)
Cullowhee, N.C. - Senior Matt Johns singled to right field to drive in the game-tying runs in the home half of the ninth inning, capping Western Carolina's six-run rally on Wednesday night. However, the second of two lengthy rain delays hit in the bottom of the 10th prompting officials to call the game, reverting to the last completed inning in the ninth and resulting in an 8-8 tie.
All told between delays in the seventh and extra innings, the game was delayed a total of two hours and 11 minutes.
Gardner-Webb (14-4-1) jumped out to an early 7-1 lead, capitalizing on a four-run top of the third inning to build upon the 2-1 edge it held after the first frame. Both teams plated a run in the fourth as Jake Watts drove in Matt Sapp in the visitor's half of the inning while Stephen Notaro doubled to open the bottom of the frame with Cameron Dullnig driving him home to pull WCU within five runs, 7-2.
The Catamounts trimmed the margin to three with a pair of runs in the fifth as Johns led off with a double off the batter's eye in straightaway center field. With runners at the corners, Tyler White laced a double to left field to score Johns and put two in scoring position. Notaro then lifted a sacrifice fly to left center to plate the second run and a 7-4 margin.
Western Carolina (8-10-1) closed the deficit to one in the sixth inning, rallying with two outs. Austin Schultz singled to left with Johns drawing a walk to put two aboard. Heffley then doubled to left center to score both runners to make the score 7-6 until the ninth.
The Catamounts threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with one out but could not push a run across as a pop-up and strikeout ended the inning.
In the top of what proved to be the final frame, back-to-back walks to Sapp and Aaron Miller put two Bulldogs aboard ahead of Daniel Merck who singled to load the bases with one out. Dusty Quattlebaum then laid down a bunt to the third baseman on a squeeze play to score Sapp, stretching Gardner-Webb's lead to two, 8-6.
Quattlebaum was one of three Bulldogs to post multiple hits, finishing 3-for-5 as did Scott Coleman who tallied Gardner-Webb's lone extra base hit of the night.
Dullnig led off the bottom of the ninth with a five-pitch walk with freshman Julian Ridings reaching on a hard-hit ball that tipped off the glove of the second baseman, Merck. With one out, Schultz was hit by a pitch to load the bases with Johns driving the second pitch of his at bat to right field allowing both Dullnig and Ridings to score, tying the game. The frame ended with two men aboard, forcing extra innings.
Johns finished 4-for-4 with the two RBI to lead the Catamounts back from the six-run deficit with Schultz posting the only other multi-hit game as WCU recorded 10 base hits, but stranded 14 base runners. WCU rapped out four extra base hits, all doubles.
Mike Gaffigan earned the start for the Catamounts, working the first two innings allowing six runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout. Preston Hatcher saw the most sizeable relief work, tossing four and a third innings, scattering five hits and holding GWU to one run with two walks and three strikeouts. Brandon Johnson pitched the final inning and two thirds, surrendering one run on one hit with two walks and a strikeout.
Western Carolina returns to Southern Conference action this weekend as it travels to Davidson to face the Wildcats for a three-game league series. Friday's game is scheduled for 7:00 pm, with first pitch at 2:00 pm on Saturday and 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon.
#14 Clemson 9, Elon 2
CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Clemson bullpen tossed five scoreless innings to keep Elon at bay en route to a 9-2 victory over the visiting Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon. The loss dropped Elon to 15-8 on the year while the 14th-ranked Tigers improved to 12-7.
Elon jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jake Luce started things off with a single to center, stole second and went to third on Niko Fraser's single through the right side. Sebastian Gomez got the Phoenix on the board with a sacrifice fly to center.
In the bottom of the second, Clemson put runners on second and third with two down before Spencer Kieboom floated a single just inside the right field line and just out of reach of three Phoenix defenders for a two-RBI single.
Dominic Attanasio led off the bottom of the third with a single. Will Lamb's bunt went right back to the mound, but the throw to second was high and went into center field, allowing both runners to move up. Jeff Schaus' fly ball to right was deep enough for both runners to tag and advance, including Attanasio who scored the third Tiger run of the game. Richie Shaffer followed with a single through the left side of the infield to score Lamb to make it 4-1.
Seth Canipe reached on a one-out single in the top of the fourth for the Phoenix before stealing second with two outs. Harry Austin's ground ball to short should have ended the inning, but the throw to first was off the mark allowing Canipe to score Elon's second run of the game.
Clemson had runners on first and second with one out in the fourth when Luce made a diving catch in left for the second out. He came up firing to second to try and double the runner off, but the throw went into right field allowing one run to score. Attanasio hit what looked to be a routine fly ball, but the wind carried it just over the wall down the left field line for a two-run homer that gave the Tigers a 7-2 lead.
Three consecutive singles from Attanasio, Lamb and Schaus scored another run for the Tigers in the seventh. With runners on the corners and no outs, Shaffer sent a sacrifice fly to right to score the ninth Clemson run of the contest.
Grant Fisher (0-1) took the loss in his first collegiate start after surrendering seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings. The freshman did not allow a walk.
Lamb (1-0) picked up the win after giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits in four frames.
Elon's offense was led by Luce who went 2-for-5, recording his 11th multi-hit game of the season, and Gomez who was 2-for-3.
Attanasio's 3-for-4, three-run, two-RBI day paced the Tigers.
Elon returns home to Latham Park to host Samford in a crucial Southern Conference series this weekend. Game one is set for a 6:30 p.m. start on Friday night.
#29 Coastal Carolina 6, The Citadel 5
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel Baseball team rallied to take a lead late on Wednesday evening, but could not hold it as No. 29 Coastal Carolina rallied for a 6-5 win at Riley Park in front of 1,110 fans.
Half of the games played this season by The Citadel (8-12) have now been decided by one run, including the last four games. The Bulldogs have gone 2-8 in games decided by just one run and have now lost seven of their last eight games by a combined eight runs.
The Chanticleers got on the board in the top of the first on a solo homer to right by Tommy LaStella off Citadel starter Bryce Hines (Hanahan, S.C.) who went 3.0 innings, allowing three hits, four runs, three walks and four strikeouts. The Bulldogs responded immediately off CCU starter Matt Rein as Drew DeKerlegand (Pearland, Texas) reached on an infield single and scored when Matt Simonelli (Orlando, Fla.) ripped a triple into the right field corner. Justin Mackert (Cleveland, Ohio) then brought home Simonelli on a sac fly to center for a 2-1 lead.
Coastal Carolina would retake the lead in the top of the third when John Fidanza walked, stole second base and score on an RBI single by Hayes Orton. After a walk to LaStella, both runners advanced on a balk by Hines and a double to left field by Taylor Motter would bring both runner home as CCU took the 4-2 lead.
Nick Orvin (Moncks Corner, S.C.) picked up his 200th career hit in the bottom of the sixth when he hit his second homer of the season and 11th of his career to left field to narrow the gap to 4-3. Another infield single by DeKerlegand would chase Rein from the game, as he went 5.0 innings, allowing four hits, four runs, a walk and three strikeouts.
A walk by Simonelli off reliever Aaron Burke and a sacrifice bunt by Mackert put two runners in scoring position with one out. After a strikeout by new reliever Jordan Coons, William Ladd (Winnsboro, S.C.) dumped a single into right field and was tagged out trying to make his way to second, but not before DeKerlegand and Simonelli both scored to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead.
The Citadel bullpen proved to be extremely solid in the middle innings as junior Jeremy Long (Clover, S.C.) fired a career-high 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, two walks and struck out two. Logan Cribb (Rock Hill, S.C.) followed by also setting a new career high with 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two.
In the top of the ninth, closer Drew Mahaffey (Summerville, S.C.) entered the game and got a quick strikeout, but a single from pinch hitter Tripp Martin and a walk to leadoff man Scott Woodward would prove costly. Orton lined a ball into left center in what appeared to be a double in the gap, before Ladd made an excellent play to snag the liner for the second out. LaStella then hit the first pitch he saw from Mahaffey over the head of Orvin in center to score both runners for the Chanticleers and give them a 6-5 lead.
Pinch runner Josh Conway entered the game to earn his first save of the season in the bottom of the ninth and hand the Bulldogs yet another one-run loss this season. Keith Hessler picked up the win, going 1.0 inning and allowing one hit. Mahaffey (0-4) picked up the loss, giving up three hits, two runs, a walk and strikeout in 0.2 innings of work.
LaStella went 3-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, a homer and two walks to power CCU's offense, while Motter went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Orvin led The Citadel, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI while DeKerlegand went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
The Bulldogs will now begin a stretch where 13 of their next 18 games are on the road, starting Friday in Spartanburg for a three-game conference series with Wofford. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Russell C. King Field.
Presbyterian 6, Wofford 4
CLINTON, S.C. - On a windy Wednesday afternoon, the Wofford baseball team was defeated 6-4 by Presbyterian College at the PC Baseball Complex. The Blue Hose scored three runs on a double in the second inning to take the lead and they added two runs in the fourth.
Wofford is now 11-10 on the season, while Presbyterian is 14-7 overall. The Terriers were led by Alex Lee and Taylor Rozier with two hits and an RBI each. The Blue Hose had two hits and two RBIs by Tony Micklon.
The Terriers opened the game with hits by Mac Doyle and Konstantine Diamaduros. A fielder's choice by Taylor Rozier scored one run. Wofford added a hit by Josh McKinney in the top of the first, but left two runners on base with a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second, the Blue Hose loaded the bases with one out. With two outs, a double to right field by Andrew Williams cleared the bases for a 3-1 advantage. Wofford loaded the bases in the top of the third inning with two outs, but all three runners were stranded.
The Blue Hose had a two-run homer over the right field fence by Nate Horton in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-1 lead. In the top of the sixth, Josh McKinney and Matt Moore had singles and moved into scoring position on a double steal. A ground out by Josh Hyman drove in one run. A double by Alex Lee drove in Moore to make it a 5-3 game.
Wofford opened the eighth with a pinch hit double by Clark Wise. A double down the left line by Josh Hyman scored Wise to make it a one-run game. Alex Lee moved Hyman to third on a ground out, but he was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice by James Foster. The Blue Hose added a solo home run by Tony Micklon in the bottom of the eighth for a 6-4 lead, which would prove to be the final score.
For Wofford, starter Gus White (1-2) went six innings and allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits with six strikeouts. Ryan Traylor struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh. Brandon Yarusi worked two-thirds of an inning with two hits and one run allowed. Cash Collins got the final out of the eighth inning.
Presbyterian starter Steven Richardson (2-2) went the first two innings and allowed one run on four hits with one strikeout. The Blue Hose then used five pitchers over the final seven innings as they allowed three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Chandler Knox picked up the save.
The two teams will meet for a third time on March 30 at Russell C. King Field. This weekend Wofford will host a three-game Southern Conference series against The Citadel beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m.
UNCG trails North Carolina A&T as play suspended
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Due to severe weather in the Greensboro area, the game between UNCG and North Carolina A&T on Wednesday night has been suspended with the Aggies leading the Spartans, 9-4, heading to the bottom of the fourth inning.
The two teams will look to find a mutually agreed upon date later in the season in order to complete the full nine innings.
The Spartans were able to take the early lead in the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two runners in scoring position, Trevor Edwards delivered a double to the gap in right center to give UNCG the early two-run lead.
North Carolina A&T immediately responded with three runs in the top half of the second to take the lead. After an RBI double make it 2-1 early in the inning, the Aggies loaded the bases and scored on a pair of groundouts to go ahead, 3-2.
The Aggies then put up six more runs in the top of the third, highlighted by a two-run triple from Mark Nales, to extend their lead to 9-2.
UNCG rallied for two more runs in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI triple by Bobby Martin and a sacrifice fly by Edwards to make it 9-4.
After UNCG retired the Aggies in the top of the fourth, heavy rain and lighting came into the area forcing a delay before the game was suspended after roughly 30 minutes.
The Spartans hit the road this weekend as they travel to Greenville, S.C. for a three-game SoCon series at Furman beginning on Friday 7 p.m.