The Citadel 2, Columbia 0 (7 inn.)
Charleston, S.C. - Freshman James Reeves tossed six innings of three-hit ball and improved to 3-0 on the season as The Citadel shutout Columbia University 2-0 in a seven-inning, rain-shortened game at Riley Park Saturday morning. The Bulldogs improve to 5-4 on the season and will play the Lions in a doubleheader Sunday starting at 12:00 p.m.
Reeves kept Columbia at bay throughout the game, striking out four and walking three in his third collegiate outing. Ryan Hines tossed the final out of the seventh inning to pick up his first save of the season.
The Bulldogs scored the only run they would need in the second inning, as Justin Mackert led off the frame with a single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Drew DeKerlegand. Tyler Griffin was hit by a pitch and when Mackert attempted to steal third, the throw from Columbia catcher Enmanuel Cabreja sailed into left field, allowing Mackert to score.
The Citadel added an insurance run in the sixth for the 2-0 final. Mackert laced a single through the right side and DeKerlegand was hit by a 1-1 pitch. Griffin was also plunked by Columbia started Stefan Olson to load the bases and Bo Thompson stroked a RBI single to right to plate Mackert.
Mackert and Mason Davis each had two of the Bulldogs' seven hits, while Nick Ferraresi had a pair of hits for Columbia. Olson allowed two runs on seven hits in 5-1/3 innings for Columbia.
Western Carolina 22, Iona 2
Western Carolina (7-3) pounded out a heavy offensive performance scoring 22 runs to defeat Iona (2-7) in the second game of the three-game weekend series. The Catamounts also saw a strong pitching performance by starter Morgan McKinney who picked up the win giving up only one hit, a solo homerun in the second.
"Attaway's been playing a great short stop for us number one," said Head Coach Bobby Moranda on the play of Aaron Attaway. "As our lead off man, he's our catalyst. As he goes, we go. He's had a great week for us against Georgia and now Iona. He had a special, special day for us. You also have to give Morgan (McKinney) credit. He battled through a tough start where he wasn't as sharp as he needs to be, but the runs definitely helped to settle him down."
Sophomore infielder Aaron Attaway gave the Catamounts a boost offensively with his career-high five doubles. Attaway improved his batting average .78 points on the day as the Morganton, N.C. native, began the day hitting .400, but his 6-for-6 outing improved his average to a now team-leading .478. Attaway picked up six RBI, crossing the plate five times on his own, being directly involved in half of the team's 22 runs.
The Catamounts scored early and often as the Catamounts got on the board first in the first inning. Attaway led things off for WCU with his only non-double hit of the day, a single to center field. He then stole second to bring himself into scoring position. Ross Heffley earned a trip to first being hit by Iona starter John Daddino. A Jacob Hoyle single scored Attaway from second and also brought in Heffley due to an error by the Gael left fielder.
The first inning set the tone for the Catamounts offensively as the Purple and Gold went on to score in every inning.
In the top of the second, Iona got as close as it would all day as Chiaravalloti homered to right field off of McKinney bringing the Gaels within one. A sacrifice fly by Iona catcher James Beck would bring in the only other run for Iona in the bottom of the third.
WCU picked up five runs in the third starting with a two RBI home run by Catamount center fielder Cody Jones, his first of the season, which also brought in catcher Adam Martin who walked. After walking the next batter, Daddino was replaced by Matt Marley. Bradley Strong added a single before Aaron Attaway hit a double that brought in Gragg and Strong. A wild pitch put Attaway on third before Ross Heffley reached first on an error, scoring Attaway.
The Catamounts added seven more runs in the sixth, batting around in the order. A pinch hit single by Austin Neary down the left field line scored Cody Jones. Attaway then doubled again scoring Gragg and Neary. Julian Ridings then singled to right putting Attaway on third for Ross Heffley who picked up his second RBI of the game with a SAC fly to deep center field. Next, Garrett Brown continued the scoring belting a single down the right field line scoring Ridings. Pinch hitter Connor Andrus hit one of the Catamounts seven doubles to score the swift-footed Brown from first base. One more double by WCU's Bryant Noteboom would score the last of the seven runs from the sixth inning.
Western Carolina then used four relievers - Darren Dotson, Hunter Brister, Jeremy Sluder and Andrew Blackwell -to close out the game. The relievers only gave up two hits in their three innings of work.
The 22 runs are the most for the Catamounts since scoring 25 at home against Wofford a season ago on April 24, 2011. WCU won that game 25-14.
Both teams return to Childress Field at Hennon Stadium tomorrow with first pitch slated for 1 pm. Both teams will put freshmen pitchers on the mound as right-handed pitcher Jeremy Null (1-0, 8.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Catamounts with the Gaels throwing the left-handed John Nargoski (1-0, 2.00 ERA).
Furman 9, Toledo 5
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Will Owens continued to feast on Toledo pitching, going 3-for-5 and scoring three runs in leading Furman to a 9-4 victory in Saturday baseball action at Latham Stadium.
Owens, a senior from Greer who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the Paladins' series opening win over the Rockets on Friday, reached base and scored in his first two plate appearances Saturday, helping the Paladins take an early 6-0 lead. Later in the sixth he singled and scored on a three-run home run by freshman Chris Ohmsted that gave the Paladins a 9-2 advantage.
Owens' performance highlighted a 14-hit afternoon for Furman (6-5), which claimed its third straight victory. Will Muzika also had three hits and Ohmstede's three-run blast to left center field represented his first colllegiate hit.
Toledo (3-5), which had 10 hits, was paced at the plate by Ben Hammer, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Joe Corfman, who notched a 3-for-5 afternoon.
Furman's heavy lumber knocked out Rockets' starting pitcher Alex Radon (0-1), who lasted just 1 1/3 innings while yielding six runs on nine hits.
Nate Smith (1-1) used the early run support to notch his first win of the season. In five innings he allowed two runs on four hits while walking two and fanning six in 83 pitches.
Eillott Warford came on in the ninth to get the final out after Toledo scored a run and put two runners on against Paladin reliever Kevin Gottlieb. The save was the the third of the season for Warford.
Muzika gave Furman a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first that plated Owens.
The Paladins put a five-spot on the scoreboard in the second on seven hits, including five straight, highlighted by a Will Miller two-run single.
Toledo tallied runs in the third and fourth against Smith to make it 6-2, but the Paladins responded with Ohmstede's two-out, three-run home run in the sixth to take control.
Sunday's series finale is set for 1:00 p.m.
Furman Notes: Freshman Will Ohmstede registered his first collegiate start, stepping in at third base for Alex Abrams. Freshman right-hander Elliott Warford is now 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA and three saves in three opportunities this year. Opponents are hitting just .212 against him (9.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). Will Owens is hitting a team leading .435 (20x46) and sports a .500 on-base percentage. Furman pitching has registered a 3.54 ERA over the last six games (4-2).
UNCG 7, Radford 4
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNCG jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first two innings and never looked back the rest of the way behind the pitching of Corey Taylor as the Spartans defeated Radford, 7-4, on Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
Taylor moved to 2-0 on the year and dropped his ERA to 0.63 for UNCG (8-1) after pitching five strong innings. The junior allowed only two hits and no runs, while matching his season-high of nine strikeouts.
The Spartans came out and took advantage of an early home run to take the lead. Christian Wolfe led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to left field and two batters later Trevor Edwards took a 2-0 pitch well over the wall in right center to take a 2-0 lead. The home run was Edwards' league-tying sixth of the season in just his ninth game.
UNCG was able to come right back in the second and add to that lead. Zach Leach walked to lead off and moved to second on a sac bunt by Cambric Moye. After Kris Richards reached on an infield single, Nick Chapman tripled to right center to make it a four-run game. Wolfe followed Chapman with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Chapman from third and give the Spartans a 5-0 lead.
The Spartan manufactured a run in the fourth inning to make their lead 6-0. Leach singled to right to lead off and advanced to second on another Moye sac bunt before Richards singled up the middle to score leach from second.
Radford was eventually able to get on the board in the sixth inning thanks to a Spartan miscue. After a leadoff walk, Ryan Burgess reached on an error and another Highlander walked two batters later to load the bases.
After a Spartan pitching change, Josh Gardiner drew a full-count walk to make it 6-1. Zach Costello then hit an infield single to score another run and make it 6-2 with the bases still loaded and only one out. UNCG then got a big play from Nick Chapman as he caught a fly out from Brett Mollenhauer and was able to gun Daniel Wright out at the plate to get out of the inning.
Kris Richards, who went 3-3 on the afternoon with a pair of RBI and runs, belted his third home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh to push the Spartan lead to 7-2.
Radford would add a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, but it would strand the bases loaded as UNCG held on the for 7-4 victory.
The Spartans and Highlanders will play in the rubber game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Appalachian State 10, Rider 4
Appalachian State 22, Rider 4
BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University baseball amassed 32 runs on 29 hits over two games to sweep a doubleheader from visiting Rider in convincing fashion on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. Appalachian romped in both ends of the twinbill, winning by scores of 10-4 and 22-4.
With the victories, Appalachian (8-2) extended its winning streak to six games, its longest since winning nine-straight games from April 6-17, 2010.
ASU was in command for most of the afternoon on Saturday, as it scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning of game one and never trailed in the 10-4 triumph. Rider (3-4) jumped out to its only lead of the day with a run in the top of the first in the nightcap but the Mountaineers scored eight in the bottom of the second and cruised the rest of the way.
Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) headlined Appalachian's offensive explosion, going 6-for-9 with three doubles, a home run, seven RBI and four runs scored over the two contests. The senior went 3-for-5 with a double, home run, career-high-tying four RBI and a run in the opener before going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and three runs in the nightcap, raising his batting average to a team-best .412 in the process.
Just five Mountaineers recorded hits in the day's first game but, in addition to Dowdy's 3-for-5 effort, Tyler Tewell (Charlotte, N.C./Butler) and Tyler Zupcic (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) also had three hits apiece while Tewell, Zupcic and Daniel Kassouf (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) each drove in two runs to lead the Apps to the 10-4 win.
In the nightcap, Tewell and Noah Holmes (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) set career highs with four RBI each while Dowdy and freshman Alex Leach (Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell) drove in three runs apiece. Twelve of the 14 batters that ASU sent to the plate had at least one hit, including all nine starters. The Mountaineers also benefitted from 12 walks in 22-4 rout, including eight issued in just three-plus innings by Rider starter Kurt Sowa (1-1).
Overshadowed by the offensive fireworks were two solid efforts turned in by ASU's pitching staff. Seth Grant (Etowah, N.C./West Henderson) battled through five innings in the opener, scattering six hits while allowing just one run to even his record at 1-1 on the season. In the nightcap, senior Jordan Jessup (Westfield, N.C./East Surry) worked two hitless innings out of the bullpen to earn the first win of his career.
Ian Lindsay and Ken Kremer had two hits apiece in the first game and Adam Wayman had two RBI in the nightcap to lead the Broncs.
Appalachian goes for the series sweep on Sunday when it hosts the finale of the four-game set with Rider at 1 p.m. at Smith Stadium.
Wofford 2, Air Force 0
Wofford 5, Air Force 4
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Wofford baseball team took both games in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon against Air Force at Russell C. King Field. In the first game, the Terriers used a 3-for-3 outing by Konstantine Diamaduros and a complete game shutout by Cash Collins in a 2-0 win. In the nightcap, the Terriers rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-4 victory.
Wofford improves to 6-4 on the season, while Air Force falls to 3-7 overall. The shutout in the first game was the first of the season for the Terriers.
In the first game, the Terriers took an early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning as Konstantine Diamaduros sent a shot over the right centerfield wall for his first home run of the season.
The Falcons didn't get any runners into scoring position until the top of the fifth when Brian Sicher advanced to third base following a throwing error by Stephen Cantrell, yet Taylor Ausbun grounded out to the shortstop in the next at bat to end the frame.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Terriers extended their lead to 2-0 off of a sacrifice fly by David Roney that sent Diamadurous home from third, who hit a triple into right field in the previous at bat.
In the top of the seventh, Air Force managed two hits, but were unable to capitalize, giving Wofford the shutout victory. Starting pitcher Cash Collins (1-2) hurled all seven innings, allowing only six hits with six strikeouts to claim the first shutout victory of his career. Diamadurous paced the Terriers offensively, going 3-for-3, including a solo home run, triple, and single.
Cameron White (1-1) took the loss for the Falcons, throwing 6.0 innings with two runs, five hits allowed and six strikeouts. Jake Schomaker led the Falcons offensively, going 2-for-3.
In the second game, the Terriers claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third as Stephen Cantrell scored from first base following a single by James Foster.
Wofford held the lead until the top of the fifth, as Noah Pierce hit a RBI single to left field to score David Thomas, and Tyler Saleck brought home Pierce off of a sacrifice bunt, giving Air Force the 2-1 lead.
The Falcons tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth, as Alex Bast singled to centerfield to send Garrett Custons home from second base. Bast was able to score himself later in the frame as Blair Roberts reached first base on an error by Konstantine Diamaduros.
The Terriers rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning, beginning with a double to deep left field by Mac Doyle in the first at-bat of the frame. Diamadurous was walked to bring up Eric Brenk, who tripled to right field to score both Doyle and Diamaduros. The Falcons walked the next two batters to load the bases, and with one out Cantrell was hit by a pitch, sending Brenk across the plate. The following at bat, Foster grounded out to the third basemen, but was able to score pinch runner Clark Wise to give the Terriers the 5-4 lead.
Headed to the top of the ninth, Wofford brought Eric Eck out of the bullpen for the save, who struck out three of the four batters faced to seal the win for the Terriers.
Reliever Alex Wilson (1-0) picked up the win for the Terriers, going 2.0 innings, allowing one hit with one strikeout. Starter Jessie Morris tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs with six hits and two strikeouts. Eck earned his second save of the season with 1.0 innings pitched, no hits, and three strikeouts. James Foster hit 2-for-5 in the nightcap with one RBI, while Eric Brenk went 1-3 with a triple and 2 RBI.
Ben Yokley (0-1) took the loss for the Falcons, allowing four earned runs with two strikeouts while not recording a single out in a relief appearance. Evan Abrecht started for Air Force, going 6.0 innings with one run allowed, five hits allowed and five strikeouts. Garrett Custons paced the Falcons in the contest, going 3-for-4 with a double.
The weekend series will wrap up Sunday afternoon, as the Terriers host Valparaiso, with the first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m.
Penn State 7, Samford 4
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-The Samford baseball team dropped the first game of its three-game series with Penn State Saturday afternoon, falling by a score of 7-4 at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
With the loss, Samford drops to 6-4 on the season. Penn State improves to 2-5 with the win.
Samford was led at the plate by Brad Moss, going 3-for-3. Saxon Butler and Phillip Ervin both went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Zeth Stone went 2-for-5 at the plate for the Bulldogs.
Kyle Putkonen (0-2) took the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs. Putkonen pitched 5.0 innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits and striking out six batters. Michael Gunter, Taylor Hammond and Andres Gracia also saw time on the mound for the Bulldogs.
For Penn State, Steve Snyder went 3-for-5 and Elliot Searer went 2-for-3. Luis Montesinos was 2-for-4, while Joey DeBernardis hit a three-run home run in a 1-for-4 performance. Cody Lewis (1-2) pitched 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, just one earned, to pick up the win for the Nittany Lions.
Samford jumped on top first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Stone singled and Ervin walked to open the inning. With one out in the inning, Stone advanced to third base on a fly out by Brandon Miller. Stone then scored on a passed ball for the first run of the game. Christiann Durdaller then doubled to right-center field to drive in Ervin for a 2-0 Samford lead.
Penn State came back with three runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead for good at 3-2. DeBernardis hit a three-run home run with Searer and Snyder on base to give the Nittany Lions the lead.
The Nittany Lions added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to make the score 5-2. Zach Ell and Sean Deegan drove in a run each to give PSU a three-run lead.
Penn State plated a run in the seventh inning and another in the eighth to push its lead to 7-2. Sean Parvin drove in the run in the seventh inning, while Alex Farkes drove in the eighth-inning run for the Nittany Lions.
Samford came back with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs fell by a score of 7-4. Ervin and Butler drove in a run each in the ninth inning for Samford.
The teams will continue the three-game series with a game Sunday at 2 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The game can be viewed online on the Bulldog Big Screen at www.samfordsports.com.
Ohio 7, Davidson 6 (10 inn.)
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Ohio erased a two-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning and scored an unearned run in the 10th inning to defeat Davidson, 7-6 in non-conference baseball action Saturday night at Wilson Field.
Davidson (4-3) had a chance to tie the game with runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out, but RHP Tyler Stage (1-0) retired the next two batters to earn the win for Ohio (3-6). He allowed just one hit and hit one batter, while striking out five, over the final three innings.
Trailing 4-6 entering the ninth inning, Ohio pinch hitter Tyler Wells earned a leadoff walk, but junior shortstop and senior RHP Michael Zeblo appeared to have the game in hand for Davidson after retiring the next two batters. Designated hitter Seth Streich (1-for-4) drew a walk though, and right fielder Jenson Painter and first baseman Jake Madsen followed with back-to-back RBI-singles to tie thegame at 6-6.
In the 10th inning third baseman Ian Mezlak (1-for-5) reached base on a passed ball after a swinging strikeout, and a sacrifice bunt and groundout moved him to third base. Centerfielder Ethan Newton (1-for-5) then drilled a ball through the right side to plate the winning run for the Bobcats.
The loss spoiled a season-high 12-hit performance for the Wildcats, as Ohio used seven pitchers. Senior centerfielder Drew Gadaire and Zeblo both had 3-for-4 nights at the plate, and freshman designated hitter Ryan Lowe went 2-for-3.
The ‘Cats started strong in the first inning as a double steal by senior right fielder Jake Berman and sophomore left fielder Forrest Brandt setup an RBI-groundout by junior third baseman Andrew Barna and an RBI-single by senior second baseman James Cerbie.
A two-RBI single by Streich tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning, but Gadaire led the fifth inning off with a double and scored from third base when Cerbie hit into a fielder's choice. The Wildcats went ahead 5-2 in the sixth inning with a pair of unearned runs when they took advantage of a throwing error. With two runners in scoring position, Gadaire hit a sacrifice fly, and Berman then scored from third on a wild pitch.
A two-RBI single by pinch hitter Kyle Dean with the bases loaded pulled Ohio within one in the top of the seventh inning, but an RBI-single by sophomore catcher Daniel Gerow (1-for-4) scored Zeblo from second.
Freshman LHP Henry Sisson (0-1) took the hard-luck loss surrendering the unearned run in the 10th inning. Senior RHP Brian Russell started for the Wildcats and allowed just three hits and struck out six over 6.1 innings, but also yielded four walks and was charged with four runs (three earned).
RHP Jason Moulton went 3.1 innings in the start for the Bobcats, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks, while tallying two strikeouts.
Sophomore RHP Danny Mooney (1-0, 1.80) is slated to start the weekend finale for Davidson Sunday at 1:30 p.m. against Presbyterian sophomore LHP Chad Sanders (0-1, 8.10).
Saturday's Baseball Game Postponed to Sunday
Eagles will play a doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m.
STATESBORO, Ga. - Heavy Rain in the area has postponed Saturday's baseball game between Georgia Southern and North Florida. The two teams will meet at J.I. Clements Stadium on Sunday for a doubleheader at 1:30 p.m.
All games 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.