UNCG 5, Duke 4
DURHAM, N.C. - UNCG got a pair of runs in the seventh inning to tie the game and then Cody Walker scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to give the Spartans a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Duke on Tuesday night at Jack Combs Field.
Colby Hyatt (5-2) came in to pitch the final 1 2/3 innings for UNCG (19-16) and allowed just one hit and struck out two batters. Duke (20-20) reliever Eric Pfisterer (2-3) was credited with the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Trevor Edwards led UNCG with a pair of RBI, while John Hein had an impressive 3-5 performance at the plate with two runs scored. Bobby Martin also went 2-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Spartans.
Jeff Kremer and Chris Marconcini each went 2-4 for the Blue Devils, while Kremer added an RBI. David Perkins had an RBI and run scored, as well.
The Blue Devils wasted no time in taking the lead as they put up three runs in the bottom of the first. Kremer and Joe Pedevillano led off with back-to-back walks before a single through the left side of the infield by Perkins scored Kremer and the early 1-0 lead.
A single to center by Marconcini loaded the bases and forced UNCG to make a pitching change. After the change, Anthony D'Alessandro drew a walk to score another run and the Blue Devils would push one more across on a groundout to take a 3-0 lead.
The Spartans were able to come back in the top half of the third inning with a pair of runs to make it a one-run game. With one out, Hein singled to center field and Martin followed with a double over the left fielder's head to score Hein all the way from first. Edwards then pulled a single through the right side to score Martin and make it 3-2.
Duke would get one run back in the home half of the fourth as Kremer hit a two-out RBI single to left center to push its lead out to 4-2.
UNCG was able to take care of some good fortune in the top of the seventh to tie the game at four. With two outs, Hein hit a bloop double down the left field line and was able to move to third when Martin laid down a bunt single towards third base.
Then as Martin went to steal second, the Blue Devil catcher allowed the ball to get past him that allowed Hein to score from third and make it 4-3. Two pitches later, Martin went to steal third and the catcher's throw sailed into left field to allow him to easily score and knot the game at four.
UNCG was able to complete its rally in the top of the ninth as Walker doubled off the left-field wall to lead off the inning. After a strikeout, Martin hit a little flare to the second baseman and he decided to try to get Walker at third, but was unsuccessful, putting runners at the corners. Edwards then took a pitch to deep left center to allow Walker to easily tag up and score to give the Spartans a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Hyatt got a pair of strikeouts, including the final batter looking, to close out the win for UNCG.
The Spartans will hit the road this weekend as UNCG and Samford will start its three-game series beginning on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Citadel 11, Charleston Southern 3
Ladson, S.C. - The Citadel recorded double-digit hits for the sixth time in their last seven games as they routed Charleston Southern on Tuesday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark, 11-3.
The Bulldogs (15-22) pounded out 11 runs on 16 hits and were led at the plate by freshman shortstop Calvin Orth (Jacksonville, Fla.), who matched a career high in hits and RBI by going 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Eight Bulldog starters recorded a hit as six of them picked up multiple hits.
Bryce Hines (Hanahan, S.C.) hurled 6.0 innings, allowing just one run on four hits with four walks as he improved to 3-3 on the season. Freshman right-hander Connor Hitchingham struck out a career-high four batters as he closed out the game, earning his first career save by going 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and two runs.
"I felt a lot better out there today," said Hines (3-3), who hadn't pitch since April 6. "Spotting my fastball was important as I was able work off the curve after that. I was anxious and missed being out there so it felt great."
The Bulldogs threatened immediately in the top of the first as Nick Orvin (Moncks Corner, S.C.) walked on four pitches from Buccaneer starter Levi Mauldin. After a fly out, Orvin would steal second and score on an RBI single to left field by William Ladd (Winnsboro, S.C.) to make it 1-0 quickly.
An RBI groundout by Josh Pless (Boiling Springs, S.C.) would score Drew DeKerlegand (Pearland, Texas) in the fourth to chase Mauldin (0-3). Orvin belted his team-leading sixth homer past the right field wall for a solo shot in the fifth and a two-run single by Joe Jackson (Mauldin, S.C.) would follow to score Brad Felder (Bowman, S.C.) and Ladd to make it 5-0.
Charleston Southern (20-21) was finally able to get to Hines in the fifth when Alex Tomasovich recorded the first hit of the game for the Bucs on a double to lead off the frame. An RBI single by Tom Burkett would later plate Tomasovich to cut the lead to 5-1.
The Bulldogs would plate two in the top of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pad their lead. Grant Richards (Morrisville, N.C.) doubled in Orth and Felder eventually singled home Richards in the sixth. A two-run single by Orth in the seventh and a two-run single through the right side in the top of the eighth by Jackson would cap the scoring for The Citadel.
Jaren Sustar singled and scored after Walt Quattlebaum picked up an infield single and an errant throw from Orth brought home Sustar. Tomasovich would bring in Quattlebaum with a base hit off Hitchingham in the bottom of the eighth.
"We pitched pretty well and defended extremely well considering how we played in that aspect over the weekend," said Bulldogs Head Coach Fred Jordan. "Our guys needed a game like that. We are figuring it out a little bit offensively right now and that is nice to see. Hopefully it will continue here over the last 20 games or so."
Ladd went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and an RBI, while Richards went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Both tied their season-high in hits, while Jackson set a new career high in RBI with four, going 2-for-4 with a walk to lead the Bulldogs. Quattlebaum and Tomasovich had two hits each to lead the Bucs.
The Citadel concludes their road trip on Wednesday when they travel to Conway to face No. 27 Coastal Carolina at 6 p.m. Live stats and audio will be available and a recap and box score will follow the action on all new CitadelSports.com.
Appalachian State 8, Presbyterian 6
BOONE, N.C. - Trey Holmes' (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) two-out RBI single in the seventh inning provided the winning run in Appalachian State University baseball's 8-6 victory over Presbyterian on Tuesday evening at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Appalachian (22-17) led 5-1 after four innings but Presbyterian (18-20) rallied to knot the score at 6-6 with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) led off the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle and moved into scoring position on Preston Troutman's (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) sacrifice bunt. Dowdy attempted to break the tie when Will Callaway (Greenville, S.C./Eastside) followed Troutman's sacrifice with a single to left center field but PC center fielder Gabe Grammer made a strong throw to nail the ASU catcher at the plate for the second out of the inning.
The ballgame would remain tied for only one more pitch, however, as Holmes belted an 0-1 offering from Presbyterian reliever Matt Nodelman (0-1) into right center field and Callaway easily came home from second with the go-ahead run.
After ASU closer Taylor Miller (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) preserved the one-run lead by coming on to strike out Tony Micklon with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, the Mountaineers tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the stanza. Jack Myers (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park) led off the bottom of the eighth with his third base hit of the evening and came around to score on Zack Briggs' (Lexington, N.C./Central Davidson) RBI single to right center field.
Miller retired the side in order in the ninth to seal the win and record his eighth save of the season.
All nine ASU starters recorded at least one hit in the club's season-best 15-hit output. Holmes (3-for-4, double, RBI) and Myers (3-for-4, two RBI) led the way for the Mountaineers. Hector Crespo (Miami, Fla./Florida Christian) chipped in with two RBI in a 2-for-3 effort and Callaway went 2-for-3 and scored three runs.
David Port (Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody) worked 1.2 innings of one-hit scoreless relief to earn the win and move to 2-0 on the season. Presbyterian's rally from the early 5-1 deficit ruined a third-consecutive strong start by Mountaineer southpaw Ryne Frankoff (Apex, N.C./Apex), who did not surrender an earned run over four innings. Despite not figuring in the decision, the sophomore lowered his ERA to 2.50.
Brad Zebedis paced the Blue Hose's 10-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
Appalachian, which has won 24 of its last 26 non-conference games at Smith Stadium, takes to the road this weekend for a pivotal Southern Conference series at Davidson. The Easter weekend set between eighth-place ASU (7-11 in SoCon play) and seventh-place DC (16-19, 8-12 SoCon) begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Davidson's Wilson Field.
Alabama 7, Samford 5
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Alabama baseball team plated two runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a 5-5 tie and earn a 7-5 win at Samford Tuesday evening at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
The game was played in front of 1,847 fans, the third largest crowd in Joe Lee Griffin Field history.
"We played a good team in front of a good crowd, but we played poorly," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "We failed to execute some things. We made four errors on the scoreboard and probably several more than that. It's frustrating for our kids who know they are capable of better baseball than they played tonight."
The teams were tied at 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning. With runners at the corners and one out in the inning, Alabama's Allen Dye laid down a bunt to Samford pitcher Andrew Jones. Jones threw home, but Alabama's Austen Smith avoided the tag of Samford catcher Brad Moss to score the eventual game-winning run. Brett Booth then scored from third base on a wild pitch for the game's final run, giving Alabama the 7-5 win.
Samford sent 11 different pitchers to the mound in the game. Andrew Jones (0-3) took the loss for the Bulldogs, pitching the final inning, giving up two runs, just one earned, on one hit.
For Samford at the plate, Saxon Butler went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and one RBI. Brandon Miller went 2-for-3 for the Bulldogs.
Alabama's Jonathan Smart (2-0) pitched 2.0 innings in relief, giving up just one hit to earn the win for the Crimson Tide. David Kindred led Alabama at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Jared Reaves also went 2-for-4 for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama got the scoring started with two runs in the top of the second inning. Kindred singled up the middle to drive in Andrew Miller for the game's first run. Hunter Gregory then doubled to center field to drive in Kindred to make the score 2-0.
Samford plated a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the Alabama lead to 2-1. Butler led the inning off with a home run down the right-field line to bring Samford to within one run.
The Bulldogs took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded Kevin Putkonen doubled to center field to drive in Matt Frederick, Miller and Butler to give Samford a 4-2 lead. Putkonen then scored on an Alabama error to make the score 5-2.
Alabama plated two runs in the top of the seventh inning to cut the Samford lead to 5-4. Reaves and Brock Bennett scored when Taylor Dugas reached on a Samford error to bring Alabama to within one run.
The Crimson Tide scored a run in the eighth inning to tie the score at 5-5. Kindred doubled to right field to lead off the inning. Dye, who pinch ran for Kindred, advanced to third base on a ground out by Gregory. Dye later scored from third when Bennett reached base on a fielder's choice to tie the score and set the stage for the decisive ninth inning.
The loss for Samford breaks a four-game win streak in the series with the Crimson Tide. For the season, Samford falls to 23-15 overall. Alabama improves to 25-15 with the win.
Samford will return to action on Thursday, April 21, when the Bulldogs play host to UNC Greensboro in the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series. Thursday's game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. The teams will also play Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
#2 South Carolina 8, College of Charleston 3
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - #2 South Carolina used a four-run seventh inning to pull away from the College of Charleston and defeat the Cougars 8-3 Tuesday evening at Patriots Point in front of a sellout crowd of 1, 719. Charleston falls to 23-15, while the Gamecocks improve to 29-7.
The Cougars jumped on the board in the bottom of the first when senior CF Cole Rakar (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) singled up the middle and scored on a RBI double to center by redshirt-junior C Rob Kral (Randolph, N.J.) for the early 1-0 lead.
South Carolina answered with three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Back-to-back singles by Brady Thomas and Greg Broszinski and a walk by Peter Mooney loaded the bases with one out and Robert Beary knocked a two-run single through the left side. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed with a single to right to plate Mooney and give the Gamecocks a two-run advantage.
Charleston knotted the score at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Redshirt-freshman Daniel Aldrich (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) hit a solo home run, his 12th of the season, to center field to lead off the frame, while senior SS Jamie Holler (Rock Hill, S.C.) roped a RBI single through the right side to score junior 2B Rob Harding (Columbia, S.C.) from third.
The Gamecocks pulled ahead for good with a single run in the fourth on a RBI single by Scott Wingo. A four-run seventh inning added some insurance runs for the defending national champions as a two-run single by Adrian Morales and a two-run double by Mooney did the damage for South Carolina and put away any late-game chances for the Cougars.
Bryan Harper picked up the win in relief for South Carolina, tossing 2-1/3 no-hit innings and walking four with three strikeouts. Thomas, Mooney and Beary each had two RBIs for the Gamecocks, who out-hit the Cougars 10-7.
Sophomore LHP Jake Zokan (Columbia, S.C.) took the loss for the Cougars, allowing four runs on six hits in 3-1/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks. Holler had a pair of base hits to lead the Charleston offense.
Charleston returns to action tomorrow evening as it travels to Spartanburg to face USC Upstate at 6:00 p.m.
High Point 3, Elon 0
ELON, N.C. -- Eight High Point pitchers combined to limit the Elon offense to just two hits as the Panthers knocked off the Phoenix 3-0 from Latham Park on Tuesday night. Elon fell to 24-14 overall while High Point improved to 19-20 in the 198th all-time meeting between the two programs.
With one away in the top of the first inning, High Point's Drew Geissinger reached on an Elon error and then scored from first on Steve Antolik's double to the gap in right-center.
Elon's best chance to get on the board came in the bottom of the first inning. Harry Austin and Niko Fraser both walked before Fraser was caught on a double steal attempt. After Neal Pritchard also walked to put runners on the corners, High Point's Al Yevoli retired the next two hitters on fly balls to keep the Phoenix off the board.
The Panthers scored another in the second when Zach Tessier's two-out single drove home Ryan Retz who was on second after a single and stolen base.
High Point extended its lead to 3-0 in the sixth when, with runners on the corners, Tessier beat out a potential double play ball with runners on the corners and one out that allowed Murray White IV to score.
Elon's first hit of the game came off the bat of Cyle Rasmus in the seventh inning. Ryan Kinsella would double come the next inning.
David Whitehead (3-1) took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits in six innings. Whitehead matched his career-high with five strikeouts.
Yevoli (1-1) was the winning pitcher in a designated staff day for the Panthers. He went 1.2 innings and surrendered four walks. Ryan Retz picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.
Elon will get right back on the field tomorrow as the Phoenix welcomes in Old Dominion for a 6 p.m. game on Wednesday.
Gardner-Webb 4, Furman 3
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Jake Watts' two-out, RBI single in the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie and lifted Gardner-Webb to a 4-3 victory over Furman in baseball action Tuesday evening at John Henry Moss Stadium.
The win improved Gardner-Webb to 21-13-1 on the season while Furman fell to 19-20.
With the score tied 3-3, Moss' line drive hit to right field off Furman reliever Kevin Gottlieb scored Scott Coleman from second base just ahead of the tag by Paladin catcher Paul Nitto. Coleman had moved into scoring position with a one out single and advance to second after Furman shortstop J.B. Jenkins momentarily bobbled a potential double play ball off the bat of Brad Collins, who was retired on the play.
Gardner-Webb closer Jeff Howell worked around an error in the ninth by striking out Will Miller and inducing Alex Abrams to hit into a game ending twin killing.
Furman grabbed an 2-0 lead in the first on two-run single by Taylor Johnson. The Paladins had runners at first and third with one out but failed to take advantage when Cameron Allmendinger struck out looking and Will Muzika fanned swinging.
Gardner-Webb answered in its first at bat with a Dusty Quattlebaum RBI double to make it 2-1.
Will Miller led off the Furman third with a home run to left field to give Furman a 3-1 advantage, and the Paladins led 3-2 until the sixth when Quattlebaum hit an offering by Paladin reliever Nate Smith over the right center field fence to tie the game at 3-3.
Furman, which collected four hits in the first inning, managed only two hits in its final eight at bats.
Bulldog starting pitcher Erik Heilgenstadt (3-3), who entered the contest with an opponent batting average of .331, earned the victory after allowing three runs on six hits over eight innings. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.
The save was Howell's fourth of the campaign.
Gottlieb (0-1) was charged with the loss after working 2/3 on an inning and surrendering the game winning run on two hits.
Gardner-Webb had eight hits, including two each by Quattlebaum, Coleman, and Watts.
Furman returns to action on Friday when it opens a three-game Southern Conference series at the College of Charleston with a 6:00 p.m. game.