Appalachian State 1, No. 7 LSU 0
BATON ROUGE, La. - Ryan Arrowood (Rutherfordton, N.C./R-S Central) and Nathan Hyatt (Brevard, N.C./Brevard) combined on a three-hit shutout and Daniel Kassouf's (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) solo home run in the fourth inning proved to be the only scoring Appalachian State University baseball needed in a 1-0 win over No. 7 LSU on Saturday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium.
Appalachian (3-2) is the first non-conference club to shut out LSU (5-1) in nearly eight years, dating back to Tulane's 1-0 win over the Tigers on April 6, 2004. The triumph is ASU's second over a nationally ranked opponent in 366 days, as it snapped a 29-year skid versus ranked foes with a 8-5 win at No. 20 Miami (Fla.) exactly one year ago (Feb. 25, 2011).
In a series dominated by starting pitching so far, Arrowood turned in the most memorable performance of the weekend to date. The right-handed senior began the game inauspiciously by issuing a walk and a single to the first two batters he faced. However, he got Raph Rhymes to ground into a double play then struck out cleanup hitter Mason Katz to end the threat.
Arrowood went on to retire 16 in a row, striking out five-straight on two separate occasions along the way. After Tyler Hanover became the first Tiger to reach base in five innings with a two-out single in the sixth, Arrowood put away the next four batters in order before giving way to Hyatt in the eighth.
ASU's junior closer sat down the first four hitters he faced before Hanover singled to right center again with one out in the ninth. After the Mountaineers missed turning a game-ending double play by half a step, things got interesting when a wild pitch allowed LSU pinch-runner JaCoby Jones to advance into scoring position with two outs. However, Hyatt fanned Rhymes to end the ballgame and seal remarkable victory.
Kassouf provided all of the offensive support that Arrowood and Hyatt would need when he roped a two-out, line-drive home run over the left-field wall on the first pitch he saw from LSU's Ryan Eades n the fourth.
Despite Kassouf's heroics, the story of the day was Arrowood (1-0), who allowed just two hits and issued one walk over seven innings while matching a career high with 10 strikeouts. In all, the preseason all-Southern Conference honoree retired 20 of the 23 batters he faced. Hyatt allowed just one hit and struck out three to earn the second save of his career.
Aside from Kassouf's game-winning bomb, Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) led ASU offensively with two of the Mountaineers' five hits.
Eades (1-1) suffered the tough-luck loss for LSU, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out five over 6.1 innings.
Appalachian and LSU play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon (ET) at Alex Box Stadium.
The Citadel 12, Delaware 8
Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel used a seven-run first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Bo Thompson, and Drew DeKerlegand went 3-for-3 on the afternoon as the Bulldogs held on to defeat Delaware 12-8 at Riley Park on Saturday. The two teams wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
Delaware (2-4) struck first with a single run in the top of the first. Cameron Travalini led off the game with a single to right and DJ Long drew a four-pitch walk from Bulldog starter James Reeves. A fly out to right by Nick Ferdinand moved Travalini to third and a RBI infield single by Tyler Powell gave the Blue Hens an early lead.
The Citadel's (2-4) offense exploded in the bottom of the frame, scoring seven runs and knocking Blue Hens starter Eric Soren from the game after just seven batters. After Mason Davis grounded out to second, the next eight Bulldog batters reached base and put up six runs during the stretch. Joe Jackson got things going with a double to left center and the Bulldogs got the bases loaded after a walk by Nick Orvin and a hit by pitch on Justin Mackert. DeKerlegand drew a full-count walk to force in the tying run and Tyler Griffin ripped a two-run double to right for a 3-1 Citadel lead.
Thompson proceeded to clear the bases with his first collegiate home run, a three-run shot over the fence in left center, for a 6-1 lead and prompting Delaware head coach Jim Sherman to go to his bullpen early in the game. The Bulldogs were not done offensively, as Calvin Orth doubled off Blue Hens' reliever Ken Fetchko and Bailey Rush followed with a RBI single up the middle to give The Citadel a 7-1 lead after the first inning.
The Blue Hens scored twice in the top of the second to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 7-3. Singles by Brock Niggebrugge and Ty Warrington put runners at the corners and a sacrifice fly by Travalini and a RBI double by Ferdinand brought home the two runs.
The Bulldogs regained the six-advantage with two runs in the fourth for a 9-3 lead. Jackson reached on a two-base error by Ferdinand in right and scored on a RBI single to left by Mackert. After Mackert was caught stealing second, DeKerlegand doubled to left center and later came home on a RBI single to center by Griffin. The Citadel increased its lead to 10-3 in the seventh on a RBI single to right center by Orth that scored DeKerlegand.
Delaware made the game interesting in the eighth, scoring five unearned runs on a pair of errors and three base hits, including a grand slam to left by Ferdinand. With Ross White on in relief, Niggebrugge reached on a fielding error by White and walk put runners at first and second with one out. A fielder's choice to short advanced the runners, when Davis mishandled the ball at second for an error, allowing Niggebrugge to score. DJ Long singled up the middle and Ferdinand drove a 3-1 pitch from White over the wall in left, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to 10-8.
The Citadel added a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal the win. Davis drew a lead-off walk and after Jackson was retired, Orvin walked on five pitches. Mackert struck out for the second out, but a walk by Griffin loaded the bases and DeKerlegand was hit by the first pitch from Stephen Richter to force in a run. Thompson worked a full-count walk to force in the second run of the frame and close the scorebook on the afternoon.
Reeves improved to 2-0 on the season, scattering seven hits in five innings and allowing three runs with three walks and a strikeout. Zach Sherrill picked up his first save, tossing 1-2/3 scoreless innings on two hits. Thompson and Griffin each had four RBI on the afternoon, while DeKerlegand scored three times to go with his three hits, including two doubles.
Soren took the loss for the Blue Hens, allowing six runs on three hits with two walks in one-third of an inning. Ferdinand finished with two hits and five RBI, while Travalini added three hits.
For more information on Bulldog baseball, follow us on Twitter at @CitadelBaseball or visit www.CitadelSports.com.
Wofford 8, Pittsburgh 7
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - With five runs in the seventh and eighth innings, the Wofford baseball team rallied for an 8-7 win over Pittsburgh at Russell C. King Field on Saturday afternoon. Luke Feisal hit a three run homer in the seventh and RBI singles from Konstantine Diamaduros and Eric Brenk in the eighth gave the Terriers the lead.
Wofford is 3-2 and Pittsburgh is 2-4. The Terriers were led by Konstantine Diamaduros with three hits and four RBIs. Luke Feisal had three RBIs on his home run. Brandon Yarusi had six strikeouts in the start and Eric Eck struck out four to earn the win. The Panthers were led by Rick Devereaux with three RBIs on two hits, including a home run.
The Panthers got things started in the top of the first with a two-run homer by Rick Devereaux to right center. James Foster led off with a single for the Terriers in the bottom of the first, but he was caught stealing. Mac Doyle added a single and a double down the left line by Konstantine Diamaduros scored Doyle for a 2-1 score after one inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the Panthers added a run on a sacrifice fly by Sam Parente to make it a 3-1 game in the third. In the top of the fourth, Pittsburgh had RBI singles from Anthony Defabio and Rick Devereaux to push the lead to 5-1.
Wofford left two runners on base in the bottom of the fourth and Pittsburgh left one on in the top of the fifth. The Terriers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth on a single and two walks. A single up the middle by Konstantine Diamaduros scored two runs to make it 5-3 after five innings.
The Panthers left two on base in the top of the seventh. Wofford had two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh when Luke Feisal came in as a pinch hitter and belted one over the left center fence to give the Terriers a 6-5 lead. The Panthers answered in the top of the eighth when Sam Parente reached on an error and two runs scored during the play for a 7-6 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, Clark Wise singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and got to third on a wild pitch. Josh Hyman reached on a hit by pitch. A single to right center by Konstantine Diamaduros scored Wise to tie the game at seven. An infield single by Eric Brenk scored Hyman for an 8-7 lead after eight innings. In the top of the ninth, Eric Eck struck out the side in order for the win.
Wofford starter Brandon Yarusi went 5.2 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. Dominick Del Monte picked up one out. Alex Wilson threw the seventh inning and allowed only one hit. Eric Eck (2-0) went two innings and allowed two unearned runs on one hit with four strikeouts.
Pittsburgh starter Ethan Mildren threw 6.1 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Alex Caravella worked two-thirds of an inning and gave up two runs on two hits. Tanner Wilt (0-1) went an inning and allowed two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
The Terriers will complete the three-game series with Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Wofford will travel to Presbyterian College on Wednesday, February 29 for a 2:00 p.m. game before returning home next weekend against Albany, Air Force and Valparaiso.
Samford 9, South Alabama 8
MOBILE, Ala.-The Samford baseball team held off a late rally to earn a 9-8 win at South Alabama Saturday afternoon at Stanky Field.
Samford improves to 5-2 with the win. South Alabama falls to 2-4 with the setback.
Samford was led at the plate by Kevin Putkonen, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Saxon Butler and Brandon Miller each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Phillip Ervin and Austin Allison drove in two runs each, both going 1-for-4 at the plate.
The Bulldogs' Charles Basford (1-0) earned the win on the mound. Basford tossed 6.2 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out four batters. Arthur Strauss pitched the final inning to earn his first save of the season. C.K. Irby and Lex Rutledge also saw time on the mound for Samford.
For South Alabama at the plate, Nick Zaharion went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Drew Cofield drove in three runs in a 1-for-5 performance for the Jaguars. Payton Gardner (0-1) took the loss on the mound for USA, pitching 3.0 innings, giving up seven runs, only four earned, on eight hits.
Samford struck first with a run in the top of the first inning. With one out in the inning, Ervin was hit by a pitch and Butler singled. Miller then singled to left field to drive in Ervin for a 1-0 Samford lead.
South Alabama came back with five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-1 lead. Cofield and Jordan Patterson drove in two runs in the inning each. Zaharion added another RBI to give the Jaguars a four-run lead.
Samford answered with six runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead for good. Allison and Ervin both had two-RBI doubles in the inning. Putkonen and Brandon Powell also drove in a run each in the inning, as Samford took a 7-5 lead.
The Bulldogs added two runs in the top of the sixth inning to push their lead to 9-5. Miller scored the first run in the inning when Butler hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Putkonen later doubled down the right-field line to drive in Miller for a four-run Samford lead.
The score remained 9-5 until the bottom of the ninth inning. Zaharion, Colin Bray and Cofield drove in a run each to pull the Jaguars to within one run at 9-8 with two outs. Strauss, however, was able to get Patterson to ground out with a runner on first base, to preserve the win for the Bulldogs.
The same two teams will conclude the series with a game Sunday at 1 p.m.
#30 Georgia Southern 7, Radford 6
#30 Georgia Southern 7, Radford 6 (11 inn.)
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Baseball team came from behind twice in the late innings and walked off with a pair of wins in a doubleheader with the Radford Highlanders. The Eagles won both games by a score of 7-6 and had to go to the bottom of the ninth in the first and the 11th in the second to secure the series victory at J.I. Clements Stadium Saturday.
Game One
Radford scored three runs in the top of the ninth to take a 6-4 lead on four-straight singles, but Georgia Southern rallied in the bottom frame to win 7-6 in the first game of a doubleheader. The Eagles scored a pair of two-out runs on a single from Clint Clark (Newnan, Ga.) and a hit by pitch of Ben Morgan (Evans, Ga.). Victor Roache (Ypsilanti, Mich.) plated the first run of the inning on a single through the left side.
Blown saves by both closers erased solid starts from both staff aces and neither factored into the decision. Chris Beck (Jefferson, Ga.) was on the line for the win after allowing just two runs on seven hits over seven frames, but Sam Howard (Cartersville, Ga.) (W, 1-0) picked up the victory after the blown save by Josh Stevenson (Social Circle, Ga.). Abram Williams (L, 0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing the three ninth inning runs.
Eddie Butler held Georgia Southern to just three hits through the first five innings, but the Eagles finished the game with 11 hits. Jake Palese gave up four of those hits but lifted the bullpen with three innings of work in relief and allowed just one run. Butler walked six batters but gave up just one earned run and was forced to exit after throwing 103 pitches.
Radford cut the lead to just one run after scoring two runs in the eighth inning. A double by Matt Mack drove in the first run for the Highlanders, and Mack later scored on a sacrifice fly from Cory Turner. Matt Hillsinger led off the inning with a single and later scored the first run of the inning.
Georgia Southern took a 2-1 lead in the third inning with a pair of unearned runs and added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to go ahead by three runs. A solo homer from Chase Griffin (Leesburg, Va.), the first of his collegiate career, led off the sixth inning and a lead off walk in the fifth inning came around to score on a ground out by T.D. Davis (Evans, Ga.).
Game Two
Georgia Southern trailed by two runs going into the final three frames but scored twice to tie and walked-off for the second time on Saturday with a 7-6 win in the 11th. Zac Lenns (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) came up big off the bench and drove in the tying run in the eighth inning and scored the winning run in the 11th. The Eagles forced a blown save by Abrham Williams, his second of the day, in the process.
Another back-and-forth affair kept both starters out of the decision. Jarret Leverett (Eatonton, Ga.) (W, 1-0) picked up his first win of the new year with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out three of the five batters he faced in a bounce back performance from Wednesday. Jason Patten (L, 0-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing the go ahead run after two solid innings out of the pen.
Georgia Southern snapped Radford's streak of scoring first with a first inning run on a single by Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.). Phillips, who went three for five, made the Highlanders pay for a leadoff walk of Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.).
Radford came right back with three unanswered runs over the next two innings to take a 3-1 lead. The Eagles countered with two runs in the fourth inning on a two-RBI single from Tyler Avera (Baxley, Ga.). The Highlanders jumped back ahead with two runs in the sixth inning and led 6-4 on a double from Josh Gardiner and a ground out by Zach Costello.
Georgia Southern tied the contest at 6-6 with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Scoring in the seventh on an errant throw during an attempt to turn a double play. Davis scored from second after a base hit to center and a single from Griffin. Brent Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.) scored the tying run in the eighth inning, after leading off with a single.
Radford was unable to record an out in the 11th and loaded the bases with an intentional walk of Davis. Griffin drew three quick balls from Patten and took a fourth on a 3-1 count to plate the winning run. Lenns led off the inning with a single to right field and Phillips reached with a base hit to move a runner into scoring position.
The Eagles go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The game can be heard on Boomer 103.7 FM and inside the stadium on 88.1 FM. Audio for all games is also available on the web and subscription video is available for all home games at GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/Eaglevision.
UNCG 8, Penn State 3
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNCG used a four-run fourth inning to gain some separation and never looked back as the Spartans defeated visiting Penn State 8-3 on Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
The win improved the Spartans' record to 6-0 overall for the first time since 2005.
UNCG (6-0) grabbed the early lead when Thomas Troelstrup hit an RBI double off the right field wall in the bottom of the first to put the Spartans ahead, 1-0.
The Spartans were able to ride that 1-0 lead for a few innings as starter Corey Taylor was able to keep the Nittany Lions at bay. Taylor went 5 1/3 innings for UNCG and struck out a game-high nine batters, while only giving up two hits and one unearned run.
Penn State (1-4) helped the Spartans out in the fourth inning as UNCG extended its lead to 5-0. After a leadoff walk, TJ Spina laid day a sacrifice bunt and back-to-back walks to Nick Chapman and Cambric Moye loaded the bases.
Kris Richards scored two of those runners when his double went to the left field wall to make it 3-0. Bobby Martin followed by taking the first pitch he saw up the middle to plate two more runs.
After a sacrifice fly made it 6-0 in the fifth inning, Penn State was finally able to get on the board in the top of the sixth inning. After a leadoff walk, Taylor got Sean Deegan to strike out. The next Nittany Lion grounded to the pitcher, but a throwing error allowed the leadoff runner to reach second. Luis Montesinos then singled to center field to make the score 6-1.
The Spartans were able to come back and manufacture a run in the sixth as Moye walked to start the inning. He then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a bloop single to left center by Christian Wolfe to push the Spartan lead out to 7-1.
Penn State scored another run in the top of the seventh to make it a five-run game again, but once again UNCG had an answer. Spina hit a one-out single to the hole on the left side of the infield and two batters later Moye double to right center to score Spina and make it 8-2.
Deegan hit an RBI double for the Nittany Lions in the ninth inning, but that was all the offense they could muster as UNCG won by the final of 8-3.
UNCG will look to sweep the series on Sunday as the two sides meet for the final time at 1 p.m.
#29 College of Charleston 10, Connecticut 6
CHARLESTON, S.C. - No. 29 College of Charleston scored five runs in the second inning and junior Christian Powell (2-0) allowed just one run in five innings as the Cougars defeated Connecticut, 10-6, at Patriots Point in the Cougar Invitational on Saturday night.
The win put Charleston at 4-1 in the young season, while UConn fell to 2-3.
The Cougars loaded the bases with none out in the third inning when freshman Devon Reed laid down a bunt on the third base line and junior Cody Martin beat the throw to third. Junior Bradley Goodson singled in a run to score Martin, and a wild pitch on the next at bat scored catcher Jimmy Holton. Senior Marty Gantt roped a triple down the right field line to clear the bases, and sophomore Daniel Aldrich scored Gantt with a hard hit ball to first base.
Junior Tyler Jackson hit a solo home run, his first of the season, in the third inning to give College of Charleston an 8-1 lead.
The Huskies threatened in the top of the seventh inning by loading the bases after a Cougar error. After a single by Joe Pavone scored a run, Tom Verdi hit a grand slam to left to pull the score to 10-6.
Senior Kyle Owings was able to finish the inning and pitch a scoreless eighth frame to set up classmate David Peterson who came in a non-save situation and put the Huskies down in order in the ninth inning.
Powell went five innings, allowing just one run and four hits while striking out five en route to his second win in as many starts. Senior Ryan West made his first appearance of the season, allowing just two hits and three runs, all unearned.
Connecticut starter Pat Butler (0-1) lasted just one inning and a third, allowing seven runs, six earned and six hits.
Goodson led the Cougars with a 4-for-5 performance including a double as he scored three runs and made one RBI. Senior Rob Harding made three RBIs, and four assists in the field, including starting a double play. Reed scored two runs in his first career start as a Cougar.
College of Charleston will conclude the Cougar Invitational with a 3 p.m. game on Sunday, Feb. 26 against Xavier.
Davidson 9, Lehigh 1
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Junior shortstop Michael Zeblo hit a pair of home runs and three Wildcat pitchers combined to prevent any earned runs from scoring as Davidson defeated Lehigh, 9-1, in non-conference baseball action Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Senior RHP Brian Russell (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, pitching five-plus innings for Davidson (2-2). Russell issued three walks in the first inning but induced a pop out to escape unharmed. After the first inning, he allowed just four hits and one unearned run and struck out four. Freshman RHP Clark Beeker surrendered two hits and two walks and struck out five in three scoreless innings of work, and freshman Ryan Lowe pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Zeblo had been 0-for-9 at the plate to start the season, but broke out of the funk with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Davidson a 4-1 lead. With runners on second and third in the seventh, Zeblo sent another ball flying over the right field fence, giving the Wildcats a comfortable 7-1 margin over Lehigh (2-1).
Junior third baseman Andrew Barna also had a strong day offensively, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, a run and two stolen bases. The Wildcats had 11 hits to Lehigh's seven, and drew eight bases on balls to Lehigh's five.
The game was scoreless through the first three innings. The Mountain Hawks got on the scoreboard first as an errant pick-off throw with two outs allowed shortstop Ryan Gajdos to move from first to third, and he then scored on a base hit by left fielder Lance Kirchenbaum.
Davidson tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore left fielder Forrest Brandt (0-for-5) stole second base after reaching on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on a single by Barna, and scored on a fielding error by the second baseman on a ball hit by senior second baseman James Cerbie (1-for-4).
Senior centerfielder Drew Gadaire (0-for-1, three walks) drove in sophomore catcher Chris Dyer (1-for-2, two walks, hit by pitch), who had advanced to third base on a previous throwing error, with a sacrifice fly to give Davidson a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Barna then drove in a pair with a double down the left field line for a 4-1 advantage.
Zeblo's home runs gave Davidson an 8-1 lead, and Dyer hit an RBI-infield single in the eighth inning for the final 9-1 margin.
RHP Colin Gotzon (0-1) pitched 4 2/3 innings for Lehigh and did not allow an earned run, but was on the mound as the ‘Cats tallied four unearned runs. He struck out five and surrendered five hits and a walk.
RHP Danny Mooney (0.00, 0-0) is expected to get his first start of the season Sunday, as the Wildcats return to the diamond at 1 p.m. against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Knights are slated to send out senior RHP Mike Eliasen (0.00, 0-0).
Furman 8, Miami (Ohio) 6
Michigan State 6, Furman 2 (11 inn.)
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's bullpen combined for 6 1/3 innings of three-hit, one-run ball, allowing the Paladins to rally past Miami University, 8-6, in First Pitch Invitational baseball action Saturday afternoon at Fluor Field.
Miami chased Furman starting pitcher Nate Smith with three runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 5-5, but Paladin relievers Jacques de Gruy, Anthony Buonopane, Matt Solter, and Elliott Warford combined to calm the RedHawks' offense the rest of the way.
Miami took a 6-5 lead in the fourth before the Paladins answered with two in the fifth. Will Muzika scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, and Paul Nitto put Furman up 7-6, scoring on a fielder's choice ground out off the bat of Hunter Burton after brother Heath Burton's slide into second base broke up a potential double play.
The Paladins made it 8-6 in the seventh on a bases loaded Will Owens walk that forced in Andrew Cadger.
de Gruy, who came on in the third for Smith to get the final out, allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings of work. Buonopane followed with two innings of one-hit, shutout ball, and Matt Solter then struck out two in 1 2/3 frames of no-hit ball. Elliott Warford got the call in the eighth to get the final out and then pitched around a leadoff single in the Miami ninth to nail down the victory for Furman and notch his first collegiate save.
Muzika paced Furman's 12-hit attack by going 4-for-5 and scoring a pair of runs. Nitto went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Harrison Farmer had two hits in four at bats.
Miami took advantage of Smith's wildness in the first inning, combining a hit with three walks and a hit batsman to take a 2-0 lead.
The Paladins answered with three runs in their first at bat on a Muzika RBI double and Nitto's two-run single to center field off RedHawks starting and losing pitcher Mac Thoreson (0-2).
Hunter Burton's triple to deep center field in the second drove home Heath Burton, and he later scored on a Zach Greenwell groundout to give the Paladins a 5-2 advantage.
Miami tied it with three in the third, chasing Smith who surrendered five runs on six hits in just 2 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Thoreson pitched into the fifth but was also ineffective, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two.
Buonopane (1-0) was credited with the win for Furman, which improved to 3-4 with the win. Miami fell to 2-4.
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GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Michigan State scored four runs in the 11th inning to defeat Furman, 6-2, in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader following Furman's earlier 8-6 win over Miami University in the First Pitch Invitational at Fluor Field.
With the score tied 2-2, the Spartans got to Paladin reliever Daniel Stallsmith in the 11th, using a leadoff single by Justin Scanlon, a walk, and a hit batsman to load the bases. Andy Johnson followed with another walk to force in Scanlon for a 3-2 lead. Michigan State made it 4-2 after a throwing error home by Paladin second baseman Will Muzika pulled catcher Zach Greenwell off the plate, allowing Torsten Boss to score. MSU then tacked on two more runs on another hit batsman and a walk.
Furman tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth when Alex Abrams scored from third after Spartan first baseman Ryan Krill recorded an out on Heath Burton's groundout before throwing wildly to second base in an attempt to double off pinch runner Andrew Cadger. Abrams led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and Harrison Farmer followed with a double off the left center field wall.
Michigan State's bid to take the lead in the ninth failed after when Jordan Keur was cut down at home plate on an attempted double steal.
Will Owens doubled with one out in the Furman ninth but was ruled out at third after attempting to advance on a pitch that initially eluded Spartan catcher John Martinez.
Michigan State took a 1-0 lead in the first and went up 2-0 in the third on Krill's solo home run to center field.
Furman got on the board in the third after Owens tripled to right center field and scored on a Muzika sacrifice line drive to left field.
Both starting pitchers worked effectively. Furman's Ben Carlson allowing two runs on four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out five. Michigan State's David Garner, meanwhile, allowed a run on three hits over five innings while walking three and fanning six.
Keur, Martinez, and Krill had two hits each for Michigan State, which finished with nine hits.
Owens and Abrams had two hits apiece in Furman's eight-hit attack.
Maryland 3, Western Carolina 0
East Carolina 3, Western Carolina 1
Greenville, N.C. - Playing twice on Saturday after Friday's opening day was postponed by inclement weather, Western Carolina dropped two close games in a full day of baseball at Clark-LeClair Stadium in the Ninth-Annual Keith LeClair Classic.
The Catamounts committed three costly errors in the tournament opener, falling to Maryland 3-0, before surrendering a three-run sixth to East Carolina in dropping a 3-1 decision to the Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
WCU concludes play on Sunday morning by facing the Purdue Boilermakers (4-1) with first pitch at 10:00 am. Purdue split its two games on Saturday, downing the host Pirates 6-4 before falling to Maryland, 11-1, in the final game of the day.
Western Carolina (4-2) received two solid pitching starts from hurlers Jordan Smith (0-1) and Morgan McKinney (1-1) in the two games, but was unable to muster enough offense to secure wins. Smith scattered three base hits through seven innings, only allowing two unearned runs in the opener against Maryland. The Liberty, N.C., native struck out three against three walks. McKinney pitched around nine base hits by the Pirates, fanning three in six innings of work.
Redshirt senior Vance Chavis tossed an inning and a third of relief against Maryland while Preston Hatcher tossed two innings of hitless, scoreless relief against East Carolina.
But it was the Catamount offense - which entered the weekend averaging just over 14 hits through its first four games - that was held in check, limited to just four hits in both games.
In the opener, Maryland scored two unearned runs in the second inning, adding an insurance run in the ninth to win, 3-0. A throwing error at short put the lead-off man, Kyle Convissar, aboard before back-to-back walks to Ryan Holland on nine pitches and Jordan Hagel loaded the bases. A fielder's choice on a force play at second scored the first run, with a throwing error by Smith on a bunt attempt allowed the second run to score.
WCU got out of the frame after just the two runs by turning a double-play as Tyler White fielded and threw to Aaron Attaway at short who then threw home for a tag by Adam Martin to end the inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Catamounts threatened as Martin drew a two-out walk, stole second but was gunned down at home on a single up the middle by White to remain scoreless. Western Carolina got off to a strong start in the bottom of the fifth inning as Martin led off with a double to left, moving to third on a fly ball out. However, a strikeout and ground out again kept the Catamounts off the scoreboard.
Maryland added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as a wild pitch allowed Convissar to score from third and a 3-0 lead.
Terrapin starter Brady Kirkpatrick (1-0) limited the Catamounts to four hits in seven and a third innings, striking out five against two walks. Jimmy Reed worked the final inning and two thirds of hitless, scoreless relief to score his second save of the year.
In WCU's second game, East Carolina erased the Catamounts one-run lead with a three-spot in the home half of the sixth to win, 3-1. Three-straight, two-out singles and a two-run double gave the Pirates all the runs it would need for the win.
Western Carolina took the early lead in the top of the second inning as freshman Jacob Hoyle doubled down the right field line on the first pitch of the frame and moved to second on an infield ground out. Martin then lifted a fly ball to center field to plate Hoyle on the sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead.
Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the ninth, the Catamounts again threatened by putting two on with two outs with runners at second and third after a Ross Heffley walk and Hoyle single and error. However, WCU could not get the critical hit in the final frame.
First baseman Tyler White led Western Carolina with three hits including a double on the day with a 3-for-7 showing at the plate. Freshman Jacob Hoyle
Play in the Keith LeClair Classic concludes on Sunday with WCU facing Purdue at 10:00 am.
#2 South Carolina 3, Elon 2
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A ninth-inning rally fell just short for Elon as the Phoenix dropped a 3-2 decision against the #2 South Carolina Gamecocks in baseball action on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix is now 4-2 on the season while South Carolina remains unbeaten at 5-0.
Trailing 3-0 heading to the ninth inning, Elon began its rally when a one-out grounder to second was misplayed allowing Quinn Bower to reach. After Niko Fraser was hit by a pitch to put two aboard, Alex Swim delivered a single through the right side of the infield to plate Bower and get the Phoenix on the board. Fraser raced to third on the Swim single and then scored on a Garrett Koster single up the middle. Elon's hopes were dashed when the game ended on a strike out on a 3-2 pitch to the next hitter.
With one out and a runner on first in the last of the third, South Carolina got back-to-back singles from Tanner English and Christian Walker to take a 1-0 lead. A fielder's choice erased the runner from first, but the Phoenix could not turn the double play and the second Gamecock run scored.
The Gamecocks added an unearned run in the fifth when a double play ball brought home a runner from third.
Elon starter Dylan Clark (1-1) had a solid outing. He went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out three. The relief efforts of Grant Fisher and Ryan Pennell combined for two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
South Carolina's Matt Price (1-0) did not allow a run on just one hit over his five innings. Price fanned a career-high eight hitters. Forrest Koumas recorded the final out to pick up his second save of the season.
Elon will look to salvage the series with a game three victory on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. and can be heard live on WPCM 920 AM or at elonphoenix.com