Elon 7, Akron 1

ELON, N.C. -- Kyle Webb carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Sebastian Gomez hit the first grand slam of his career and drove in a personal-best five runs as the Elon Phoenix won its 2012 season-opener by a 7-1 margin over the Akron Zips on Friday afternoon.

Elon (1-0) started the season with three straight hits as singles from Niko Fraser and Alex Swim were sandwiched around a Gomez double that produced a run. Gomez later scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Phoenix an early 2-0 lead.

Gomez upped the Elon lead to 6-0 in the fourth by belting the grand slam of his career over the high wall in left. Michael Elefante's sac fly in the fifth provided the final Phoenix tally.

Joey Havrilak broke up Webb's bid for a no-hitter by leading off the seventh inning with a double down the left field line. He later scored on a pinch-hit double from Kurt Gamby. Those were the only two hits Akron (0-1) tallied in the game.

Webb (1-0) was stellar on the mound, striking out six in seven innings. He did not issue a walk.

Andrew Brown (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on nine hits in five innings of work.

 

UNCG 13, Delaware State 0

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Kris Richards went 3-5 with a two-run home run and four Spartan pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout as UNCG handed Delaware State a 13-0 loss on the opening day of the 2012 season on Friday.

Due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday, the game originally scheduled for Sunday has been moved to Saturday and will be played as a doubleheader. The first game of the doubleheader has moved from the scheduled time of 1 p.m. up to 12 p.m.

Tyler Hollstegge (1-0) picked up the win after going five innings and allowing just one hit and striking out four. Eric Kalbfleisch followed with two innings of work and gave up just one hit before Lee Gilliam and Brennen James each pitched an inning of hitless work.

Jordan Elliot (0-1) was credited with the loss for the Hornets (0-1) after allowing seven runs, three earned, on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Just three of the Spartans' 13 runs of the evening were earned as the Hornets committed six errors in the contest.

Richards led the Spartans (1-0) at the plate as he went 3-5 with three RBI and a run scored. TJ Spina also had a nice evening as he went 2-3 with two doubles and three runs scored.

In addition to pitching two scoreless innings, Kalbfleisch also showed some promise with his bat. After neither team scored in the first inning, Kalbfleisch came up in the bottom of the second and hit a home run to deep right field in his first at-bat as a Spartan.

After Spina doubled to left field to lead off the fourth, he was able to move over to third on a groundout before later scoring on a Richards single to push the lead out to 3-0.

UNCG was able to open up the game in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a couple of Hornet errors. Trevor Edwards led off the inning by reaching on an error and Spina walked a batter later. Cole Harrison then delivered a triple to the power alley in right center to score Edwards and Spina.

Richards kept the Spartans rolling as he took a 1-0 pitch into the trees over the left field wall to give UNCG a comfortable 7-0 lead.

UNCG was able to take advantage of another Delaware State error in the sixth inning to plate three more runs. After a leadoff walk by Troelstrup and a groundout, Lloyd Enzor hit a single to shortstop and Troelstrup was able to score after the throw to first went into the dugout. After a strikeout, Andrew Spleth and Zach Leach delivered back-to-back RBI singles to make it 10-0.

A leadoff double by Edwards in the eighth helped start another Spartan offense flurry. Another Hornet error put runners on the corners before a walk by Ricky Guile loaded the bases. Richards appeared to have hit an inning-ending fly out to the warning track in left field, but the Hornet left fielder dropped the catch, which allowed all three Spartan base runners to score and make the final score 13-0.

The Spartans and Hornets will wrap up the series on Saturday with a doubleheader at 12 p.m.

 

Furman 10, Miami (Ohio) 2

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Bobby Lyne pitched six solid innings and received solid support at the plate from outfielders Will Miller and Will Owens to power Furman past Miami University, 10-2, in the 2012 baseball season opener for both teams Friday afternoon at sunny Latham Stadium.

Lyne (1-0), a senior right-hander, allowed a pair of runs on four hits, walked two, and struck out five to earn the victory, which was keyed by a potent Paladin offense that banged out 13 hits highlighted by the work of Miller and Owens, who combined for five hits and seven RBI.

Miller went 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and four RBI, and Owens registered a 2-for-4 afternoon with three RBI and three runs scored.

Miller's two-run round tripper to left field in the third off RedHawks starting pitcher Mac Thoreson (0-1), a first team All-Mid American selection in 2011, gave Furman a 2-0 lead.

An inning later Owens stroked a Thoreson offering into center field to drive home Harrison Farmer and Taylor Johnson for a 4-0 lead. The Paladins tacked on two more in the frame on a balk, which scored Heath Burton, and on a Miller double to left center field, which plated Owens.

Miami registered its two runs in the sixth on a Kevin Bower two-run home run to left field, but the Paladins answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single to center field by Paul Nitto to stretch the lead to 8-2.

Owens and Miller finished off their afternoons with back-to-back RBI singles in the seventh off Miami reliever Joe Neff.

Alex Abrams also had three hits for Furman.

Ryan Brenner tallied two of the RedHawks' five hits.

Game two of the scheduled three-game weekend series is set for Saturday at noon. Stay tuned to www.furmanpaladins.com for potential schedule changes due to weather.

Notes: Center fielder Will Miller extended his hitting streak to 10 games, which includes the nine-game streak he fashioned at the end of the 2011 season. Third baseman Alex Abrams extended his errorless streak to 22 games, successfully handling two chances in Friday's victory. Abrams fielded at a .955 clip a year ago, the best mark among all league third baseman. Three Paladin freshmen saw their first collegiate action on Friday: RHP Elliott Warford, outfielder Jake Jones, and shortstop Chris Ohmstede.

 

Western Carolina 9, Fordham 8
Western Carolina 6, Fordham 1

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina took both games of the 2012 season opening double-header Friday at Hennon Stadium. Steady senior Ross Heffley came up big in both hitting a walk-off single to knock in Cody Jones to win the first game, 9-8. After falling behind 1-0 in the second game, Heffley again had a timely RBI single to knot the game at one before a five-run sixth inning led the Catamounts to a 6-1 victory.

"Two wins are huge to start off the season," said head coach Bobby Moranda. "It's a little weird beginning with a double-header, but it was great. In the first game, we made some mistakes on the bases. We made a few mistakes on the mound with some hit batters and a few walks, but it was first game mistakes. I thought we played a very sound baseball game in the second game."

In game one, the Catamounts got on the board first with two runs in the first inning from a Bradley Strongtriple which scored teammate Aaron Attaway. Next batter Ross Heffley brought in Strong with a ground out to the second baseman.

The Catamounts put up six runs through the first four innings. Fordham hung in the game by adding solo runs in the second, fifth and sixth innings before grinding out four runs in the seventh. Junior Jeremy Sluder began the seventh pitching for the Catamounts, quickly fanning his first batter. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for the Rams. Another walk and a two RBI double by Mike Mauri gave Fordham a four-run seventh. The Rams would add another run in the top of the ninth off of Catamount pitcherPreston Hatcher to set the stage for a Catamount comeback with an 8-6 lead going into the final stanza for WCU.

Western Carolina put its first batter on the base path with Adam Martin starting the inning off by drawing a walk. Martin advanced to second on a wild pitch from Fordham pitcher Jonathan Reich. Freshman Jacob Hoyle then blasted his first career home run to tie the game at eight. The Catamounts were not done as WCU loaded the bases following a Cody Jones single to left-center and an intentional walk to Aaron Attaway. ABradley Strong single would fill up the bases for senior Ross Heffley. Heffley did what he has done throughout his career as a Catamount, coming through in a big way, by knocking in the game winning run with a line drive just over the pitcher's head to bring in Cody Jones to give WCU its first win of the 2012 season.

Game two was more of a pitchers' dual between Fordham's starter, Joseph Charest, and Western Carolina's redshirt junior Morgan McKinney who made just the second start of his WCU career. Both pitchers pitched three scoreless innings before the Rams jumped on the board first in the fourth. Fordham's Brendan Maghini started the inning with a single. A Mike Mauri double put runners on second and third with two outs. A wild pitch scored Maghini from third to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. McKinney regained his composure getting out of the inning with a strikeout.

WCU found its offense in the bottom of the sixth beginning with a double down the left field line by freshman Bradley Strong. Ross Heffleywould again come up with a timely hit by scorching an RBI his double into left-center - third RBI of the day - to even the game at one run apiece. The offensive production was just beginning as the Catamounts picked up four more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Catamounts picked up their final run in the seventh off of a Hoyle single which scored classmate Bradley Strong.

McKinney pitched two more scoreless innings after his one-run fourth before turning the game over to senior captain Vance Chavis. Chavis pitched three complete innings without giving up a hit - including three strikeouts to just one walk - to pick up the save and lead the Catamounts to their second victory of the day.

Freshman Jacob Hoyle went 4-for-5 in Game 1 with his game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth. The home run was a nice way to cap his two double and a single performance in Game 1. In the second game, Hoyle was 2-for-4 with another double and a single, totaling his offensive output to a home run, three doubles and two singles with five RBI.

"I thought all of our freshmen played well. Bradley Strong and Jacob Hoyle went out there and really had no fear. They were aggressive. We talk about playing tough and hard and I thought they came out and played the game the way it was supposed to be played. I've always believed that you're only as good as your freshmen. You want your freshmen to come in and make an impact and that changes everything."

The Catamounts wrap up the series with Fordham tomorrow with first pitch at 1 pm - an hour earlier than originally scheduled due to forecasted rain for Saturday evening. Western Carolina will put true freshman hurler Jeremy Null on the mound to counter Fordham's righty Jordan Grangard.

 

College of Charleston 5, South Alabama 2

MOBILE, Ala. - Junior Cody Martin hit a pinch-hit home run with two outs in the eighth inning to lead College of Charleston over South Alabama, 5-2, in the 2012 season opener at Stanky Field.

With the Cougars trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning, senior Rob Harding and sophomore Brandon Murray were both hit by pitches with two out. Martin came up to the plate as a pinch hitter for catcher Jimmy Holton. In his first at-bat as a Cougar, Martin blasted the ball over the right field fence to give College of Charleston a 4-2 lead.

Harding opened the scoring for CofC in the top of the sixth as he drove in senior Marty Gantt with a single to left. Harding finished with a 1-for-3 day with a run and RBI. Gantt went 2-of-4 with two runs and a walk.

The Jaguars took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth, plating two runs off a two-out error from Bradley Goodson.

Senior Josh Renfro got the start for College of Charleston and kept the Jaguars off the board until the bottom of the sixth inning. Renfro did not earn a decision but gave up only two runs, none earned, and only four hits while striking out eight batters in 5.2 innings pitched. The eight strikeouts were one away from Renfro's career high of nine set last season.

Senior Kyle Owings pitched the seventh inning to earn his first win of the season for the Cougars. Classmate David Peterson came in for his first save opportunity of his career and kept the Jaguars off the board in the eighth and ninth innings.

"It was an overall great effort by our guys," said head coach Monte Lee. "The two heroes of the night were Renfro, who was outstanding on the mound, and Martin with his pinch-hit home run. We played solid defensively with just the one error leading to their two runs. David Peterson did a great job of coming in his first career save opportunity and finishing the game."

South Alabama's Kyle Bartsch took the loss for the Jaguars after starter Jarron Cito went 5.1 innings pitched, giving up only one run, unearned, and striking out nine batters.

The top of CofC's lineup, consisting of freshman Bradley Goodson, junior Tyler Jackson and Gantt, combined for six hits and reached base nine times on the night.

Redshirt-sophomore Daniel Aldrich earned his first RBI of the season, adding an insurance run in the top of the ninth by doubling in Gantt.

College of Charleston will play the second game of the series on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Junior Christian Powell is slated to start for the Cougars against South Alabama's Payton Gardner.

 

Samford 4, Radford 2

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-The Samford baseball team plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn a season-opening 4-2 win over Radford Friday evening at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Sophomore pitcher C.K. Irby (1-0) earned the win on the mound for Samford. Junior Lex Rutledge pitched the final inning to get his first save of the season for the Bulldogs. Kyle Putkonen started the game and pitched 6.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run and striking out seven batters.

"Our guys made some big pitches," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "C.K. was phenomenal when he came in, and I was proud of the way he prevented a big inning, and Lex made three big pitches to finish the game. Kyle was phenomenal to start with. Their guy (Eddie Butler) is something special, but I was proud of the way Kyle stepped up and matched him almost pitch-for-pitch for six innings."

Samford was led at the plate by senior first baseman Saxon Butler, going 4-for-4, and senior right fielder Brandon Miller, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Radford's Eddie Miller started the game on the mound and allowed two runs on six hits over 6.0 innings of work. Jason Patten (0-1) pitched the final inning, giving up two runs on three hits to take the loss for the Highlanders.

At the plate, Radford was led by Cory Turner, going 2-for-4. Matt Hillsinger and Jeff Kemp drove in a run each for Radford.

The game was scoreless for the first five innings. Radford jumped on top first with a run in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the inning, Hillsinger reached base on a Samford error. Kemp then tripled to right-center field to drive in Hillsinger to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

Samford came back to take a 2-1 lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Zeth Stone walked to lead off the inning. Butler then singled through the right side of the infield, but Stone was thrown out at third base. Miller then homered to left field to give Samford the lead.

Radford tied the score with a run in the top of the eighth inning. Hillsinger singled up the middle to drive in Zach Costello with no outs in the inning for the game-tying run. With the bases loaded and one out, Irby replaced Arthur Strauss on the mound for Samford. Irby got Matt Mack to pop out and then struck out Ryan Burgess to end the inning in a 2-2 tie.

Samford plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead for good. Stone singled to lead off the inning, and then Butler singled, moving Stone to third base. Stone then scored on a wild pitch to give Samford a 3-2 lead. With two outs, Kevin Putkonen singled to right-center field to drive in Butler to make the score 4-2.

Rutledge came in to pitch the ninth inning for the Bulldogs. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Rutledge struck out Phil Bondi, but the pitch was in the dirt and got away from catcher Brad Moss, allowing Bondi to reach first base. After Costello struck out for the second out of the inning, Josh Gardiner and Hillsinger walked to load the bases. Rutledge, however, struck out Kemp the end the game and earn the save.

The game was the fourth-straight season-opening win for Samford. The Bulldogs posted nine hits, while allowing Radford six hits.

Saturday's game, originally scheduled for 2 p.m., has been tentatively rescheduled for 10 a.m., weather permitting. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on www.samfordsports.com.

 

Georgia Southern 7, UT Martin 5

STATESBORO, Ga. - Behind seven unanswered runs in the in the middle innings, the Georgia Southern Baseball team earned its first opening day win in its last three tries in front of the fourth largest crowd in J.I. Clements Stadium history. The Eagles defeated the UT Martin Skyhawks in the first of a three-game series 7-5 behind a solid six-inning start from Chris Beck (Jefferson, Ga.) and three RBIs from senior Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.).

Beck (1-0), who tallied his second-straight opening day start for Georgia Southern (1-0), gave up a first inning solo shot but held UT Martin to just three hits. The junior pitcher struck out eight batters, including two three separate innings, and walked just one batter over 79 pitches. Phillips gave the Eagles their first lead with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning and drove in the first of three runs in the seventh.

The Skyhawks struck early and got a solid four innings out of starter Alec Mills (0-1) before the Eagles struck for seven runs over three innings. Mills was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs in the fifth inning. He gave up just three hits but walked four batters in 4.2 innings of work.

Jordan Owen put UT Martin on the board in the first inning with a two-out solo shot over the left field wall. Beck bookended the first inning with strikeouts and coaxed a foul out before allowing the home run. He finished his stint on the mound by retiring the last seven batters he faced.

Georgia Southern took its first lead of the game with three two-out runs in the fifth inning. Phillips drove in two of the runs with a bases-loaded single to left field, and Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) tied the game at 1-1 with a single two batters earlier. Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.) drew a walk to start the two-out rally and walks of Stryker Brown (Dalton, Ga.) and Victor Roache (Ypsilanti, Mich.) loaded the bases.

The Eagles added a fourth run an inning later on a single from freshman Tyler Avera (Baxley, Ga.), scoring T.D. Davis (Evans, Ga.) from second. Davis reached on a single to right field and advanced to second base on an error.

Georgia Southern took a six-run lead with three runs in the seventh inning, but UT Martin bounced back with three runs in the top of the eighth to cut the score to 7-4. The Eagles took advantage of an error and a hit batter to score three unearned runs in the seventh inning. A single up the middle from Ben Morgan (Evans, Ga.) drove in two runs, and Phillips plated the other.

The Skyhawks added a fifth run in the ninth inning, but Josh Stevenson (Social Circle, Ga.) (S, 1) coaxed a fly out to center to earn his first save of the save of the season. Stevenson allowed the one run on a sacrifice fly from Jordan Owen.

The three-game series continues Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1:30 p.m. All games can be heard on the Boomer 103.7 FM and inside the stadium on 88.1 FM.

Towson 6, The Citadel 5

Charleston, S.C. - Freshman SS Bailey Rush went 3-for-3 in his collegiate debut and sophomore 3B Drew DeKerlegand had a pair of doubles, but The Citadel was unable to overcome a 5-0 deficit and fell 6-5 to Towson University in the 2012 baseball season opener at The Citadel Memorial Challenge presented by the Charleston Crab House Friday night at Riley Park. The Bulldogs return to action Saturday afternoon as they host Richmond at 1:00 p.m.

After falling behind 2-0 after three innings and 5-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs' offense kicked into gear, scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Towson advantage to 5-3. Rush led off the sixth with a double to right center and advanced to third on a ground out to second by freshman 2B Mason Davis. A sacrifice fly to left by sophomore C Joe Jackson plated Rush for the Bulldogs' first run of the game and senior CF Nick Orvin followed with a single to third. After stealing second, Orvin raced home on a RBI double to center by fellow senior Justin Mackert. DeKerlegand knocked his first two-bagger of the evening to the gap in right center to plate Mackert.

The two clubs would trade single runs in the eighth inning as Towson pushed across a run on a RBI single by Hunter Bennett and The Citadel used a pair of base hits to manufacture another score. With one out, DeKerlegand doubled down the left-field line and freshman Hayden Hendry drilled a RBI single to center to bring home the sophomore from second.

In the ninth, the Bulldogs trailed 6-4 and mounted a rally to put them within grasp of the win. Rush led off the stanza with a full-count walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Brandon Gonnella during a strikeout of Davis. Jackson came through with a RBI triple that painted the right-field line to cut the Bulldogs' deficit to one and put the tying run on third. However, Jackson would end up stranded 90 feet away as Gonnella struck out Orvin and Mackert to end the threat and the game.

Gonnella earned the save for Towson, allowing two runs on three hits in three innings of relief with six strikeouts. Michael Trionfo picked up the win, scattering five hits and three runs over 5-2/3 innings. Junior Austin Pritcher took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 5-2/3 innings. Pritcher struck out five and walked two on the evening.

 

Kentucky 10, Wofford 4

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - In the season opener, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 10-4 by the University of Kentucky at Russell C. King Field. The Wildcats scored six runs in the final two innings, while Stephen Cantrell hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth for the Terriers.

Wofford is 1-0 and Kentucky is 1-0 after the first game of the season. The Terriers were led by David Roney with two hits and Stephen Cantrell with three RBI. Cash Collins did not allow an earned run in the start. The Wildcats were led by Michael Williams, Lucas Witt, and Cameron Flynn, each with two hits and an RBI. Taylor Rogers struck out nine batters in the win.

The Wildcats left two runners in scoring position in the top of the second inning and the Terriers had runners on the corners at the end of the second. In the top of the third, Kentucky got on the board when Luke Maile reached on an error and Austin Cousino scored from third. The Wildcats added another run on an RBI single by Michael Williams to take a 2-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the third, Matthew Kaskow had his first career hit and Josh Hyman added a single, but both were left on base. Wofford got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Eric Brenk singled and then scored on ground out by Luke Feisal. The Wildcats added an unearned run in the top of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.

Kentucky added a run on a solo homer by Thomas McCarthy in the top of the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Cameron Flynn and Austin Cousino hit RBI doubles and Matt Reida had an RBI single as the Wildcats increased the lead to 7-1.

Mac Doyle hit a triple to right centerfield for the Terriers in the bottom of the eighth, but was left on base. Kentucky added three runs on two hits to make it a 10-1 game in the top of the ninth. After a double by David Roney and walk by Clark Wise, Stephen Cantrell hit a three- run homer in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to 10-4. It was the first home run of his career. Wofford then loaded the bases on three straight walks, but were unable to plate another run.

Wofford starter Cash Collins (0-1) went 6.1 innings and allowed five hits and three unearned runs with three strikeouts. Anthony Rowland threw two-third of an inning and allowed one run on one hit with a strikeout. Dominick Del Monte retired the lone batter he faced in the eighth. Gus White allowed three runs on four hits in two thirds of an inning. Mason Bradley worked the ninth and allowed three runs on two hits.

Kentucky starter Taylor Rogers (1-0) threw six innings and allowed five hits and one run with nine strikeouts. Walter Wijas went two innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Chris Garrison and A.J. Reed combined for the final three outs without allowing a hit and each had one strikeout.

The Terriers will play Dayton on Saturday at 2:00 pm and Ball State on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

 

Niagara 9, Davidson 4

DAVIDSON, N.C. - A four-run fifth inning capped by a two-run home run by Rob McCauley gave Niagara a lead over Davidson that it would not relinquish, as the Purple Eagles won, 9-4, in the season-opening baseball contest for both teams Friday night at Wilson Field.

Sophomore left fielder Forrest Brandt led Davidson (0-1) at the plate with a 3-for-5 nightwith a run and an RBI. Senior center fielder Drew Gadaire went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

McCauley reached base four times for Niagara (1-0) and scored each time. The first baseman cleanup hitter went 3-for-4 with a walk, four runs and three RBIs on his two home runs - the two-run shot in the fourth inning and a solo home run in the ninth. Designated hitter Joel Klock went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run, and right fielder Adam Wager had two RBI.

RHP Drew Fittery (1-0) went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks, and striking out five. Senior RHP Ryan Overcash (0-1) surrendered six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk and also tallied five strikeouts.

Both teams made four errors, but the Wildcats were unable to capitalize on them and ultimately stranded 13 runners. Three of Niagara's runs were unearned, and they totaled nine hits to Davidson's eight.

Catcher Evan Wexler led the top of the fifth inning off with a single and left fielder Kevin Paulsen scored him from second following a sacrifice bunt with a sharply hit bouncer that deflected off of third baseman Andrew Barna. A double down theleft field line by Wagner moved Paulsen to third base, and centerfielder Wynton Bernard drove him home with a sacrifice fly. McCauley followed with a two-run home run to give the Purple Eagles a 6-2 lead before Overcash struck out third baseman Eric ink to end the inning.

Niagara was able to fend off Davidson's attempts to rally. Gadaire and Brandt reached base with one out in the fifth, but Fittery was able to retire the next two batters. First baseman Matt Ray reached third base in the sixth with two outs, but Fittery was able to get the inning-ending strikeout.

Niagara added a run in the seventh and Davidson had its best chance to get back in the game in the bottom half of the inning. With Connor Sullivan on for Fittery,Davidson loaded the bases with no outs as Gadaire was hit by a pitch and Brandt and Barna both singled. Freshman DH Ryan Lowe hit an RBI-single to plate Gadaire and Zeblo hit a sacrifice fly to score Brandt from third, but Sullivan induced a pop out and a groundout to first base to halt the rally.

The Purple Eagles added an unearned run in the eighth and a solo home run by McCauley for the final 9-4 margin. Jordan Schwartz held the Wildcats scoreless over the final two innings.

A leadoff double by McCauley in the second inning, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI-single by Klock gave Niagara an early 1-0 lead. Davidson answered in the bottom of the third inning though as a two-out triple by Gadaire scored senior James Cerbie from first base. Brandt was next at-bat and rocketed a sharp bouncer through the middle to score Gadaire and give Davidson a 2-1 lead.

Niagara tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth inning when McCauley scored from second base on a potential inning ending double play-ball. Klock hit the ball to Ray at first base, and Ray went to second for the force play, but Overcash was unable tosecure the throw from Cerbie at short as he covered first base.

Davidson returns to action Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against La Salle.

 

George Mason 2, Appalachian State 1

ELON, N.C. - George Mason broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning and handed Appalachian State University baseball a 2-1 season-opening defeat on Friday evening at Elon's Latham Park.

Thanks to oustanding starting pitching from Appalachian's Seth Grant (Etowah, N.C./West Henderson) and George Mason's Anthony Montefusco, Friday's season opener was knotted at 1-1 after seven-and-a-half innings. GMU's Mick Foley opened the bottom of the eighth with a single up the middle off ASU reliever Josh Wilson (Edgefield, S.C./Strom Thurmond) and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Jake Leonardo.

Wilson appeared to be on his way to working out of the jam when he struck the Patriots' No. 9 hitter Nick Allen out on three pitches but GMU leadoff man Chris Cook followed the big strikeout by roping a 2-0 pitch into left field. With Foley being waved around third, Mountaineer left fielder Preston Troutman (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) cleanly fielded the hard-hit single and made a strong throw that beat Foley to the plate. However, the throw pulled ASU catcher Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) up the first-base line just enough to allow Foley to make a terrific slide to the third-base side of the plate and barely avoid Dowdy's tag.

Dowdy kept hopes alive for Appalachian (0-1) when he laced a one-out single into center field in the top of the ninth inning but Trey Holmes (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) followed with a game-ending double play.

Despite suffering its first season-opening loss in four years, ASU had a lot to be encouraged by in the narrow defeat, particularly the performance turned in by Grant on the mound. The senior kept GMU hitters off-balance all day, striking out eight (the second-highest total of his career), walking none and allowing just three hits in six strong innings, good for the longest opening-day outing in eight seasons under head coach Chris Pollard.

The only run that the Patriots managed against Grant was an unearned tally in the fourth when Mountaineer right fielder Tyler Tewell (Charlotte, N.C./Butler) dropped the ball when trying to exchange it from his glove to his throwing hand on a shallow flyout, allowing the first run of the game to score from third base.

Appalachian managed its only run in the sixth when shortstop Will Callaway (Greenville, S.C./Eastside) reached on an infield single, stole second and scored easily on Daniel Kassouf's (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) RBI single to right center field.

Callaway recorded two of ASU's seven hits, stole two bases and made the defensive play of the game in the he gunned a runner down that was attempting to advance from second to third on a grounder to Callaway at shortstop.

Like Grant, Montefusco did not figure in the decision despite a sterling start on the mound. George Mason's Jake Kalish worked two perfect innings to pick up the win while Wilson suffered the loss for Appalachian. Chris O'Brady worked around Dowdy's ninth-inning single to record the save for George Mason (1-0).

Instead of playing single games versus Akron (0-1) on Saturday and Sunday as originally scheduled, Appalachian will now play a doubleheader against the Zips on Saturday due to a forecast for inclement weather on Sunday. Saturday's twinbill is set for 4 p.m. at Latham Park.