Georgia Southern 13, No. 27 Appalachian State 3
STATESBORO, Ga. - After being limited to just one run in the series opener, the Georgia Southern offense got to starter Seth Grant early to even the series at one game apiece in front of the 9th largest crowd at J.I. Clements Stadium. The Eagles struck for 13 runs on 15 hits, with four coming from freshman Hunter Thomas (Johns Creek, Ga.), to treat the 2,349 fans to a 13-3 win.
Appalachian State (25-8, 10-4) started the game off much like they did last night with some first inning offense. However, Georgia Southern (21-16, 9-8) got a gift when Tyler Tewell's double hopped over the left field wall for a ground-rule double. One run in Tyler Zupcic had already crossed the plate and another was on its way in before the ball bounced out of play, sending the runner back to third base.
With the run off the board, Justin Hess (Panama City, Fla.) settled down and got Jeremy Dowdy to fly out to end the frame with Daniel Kassouf stranded down at third base. The Eagles never seemed the same after the ground-rule double and immediately got the run back in the bottom half of the inning on a wild pitch and a triple by Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.).
Georgia Southern added another run in the third inning on two errors by the left side of Appalachian State's defense before jumping ahead 11-2 with seven runs, the most allowed in a single inning this season by ASU, in the the fifth inning. The Eagles sent 11 batters to the plate in the frame and four crossed the plate after another defensive error kept the inning alive.
Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) started the frame with a double and scored the first run of the inning on a bases-loaded single off the bat of T.D. Davis (Evans, Ga.). Phillips came around to bat a second time and this time drove in two runs on a two-out single. Thomas also plated two runs with a single through the left side of the defense and a two-out fielding error by the pitcher allowed two more runs to cross the plate.
Seth Grant was unable to finish the fifth inning and was charged with ten runs - six earned - in 4.2 innings. Grant (6-2) gave up 10 hits, with five coming in the fifth inning, and allowed a hit in every inning but the fourth. The right-hander was struggled finding the final out in the fifth inning and allowed six of the seven runs in that frame.
Georgia Southern took their first lead of the series with a pair of two-out runs in the second inning after base hits from Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.) and Burruss plated Brent Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.) and Thomas. The freshman designated hitter started the rally with a double off the wall in center field and Pugh drew a walk to turn over the lineup for Williams.
Hess (2-1) never looked pretty on the mound but battled in every inning to hold Appalachian State to just two runs. The junior right-hander gave up eight hits, including two in all but one of his five innings. Hess' only easy inning came in the fourth inning when he retired the side in order.
After scoring the first inning run, the Mountaineers did not get back on the scoreboard again until the fifth inning. Crespo led off the inning with a single back up the middle and scored on a one-out base hit off the bat off Will Callaway. Hess walked the next batter in Daniel Kassouf but struck out Tewell and coaxed a ground out to get out of the jam.
Jarret Leverett (Eatonton, Ga.) shut the door on any chance of a comeback attempt by Appalachian State after striking out seven batters in the final four innings. After allowing a sixth inning run on a pair of two-out doubles, Leverett (S, 4) retired the side in order in the next three innings to pick up the long-distance save.
The final game of the three-game series between Georgia Southern and Appalachian State is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
All baseball games this season can be heard on the Boomer 103.7 FM and inside J.I. Clements 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.
Samford 5, College of Charleston 3
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - The Samford Bulldogs scored last in a back-and-forth battle at Patriots Point on Saturday, eventually winning 5-3 over College of Charleston.
The lead changed hands three times and the game was tied three times before the Bulldogs scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly from Christiaan Durdaller. Samford added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to secure the victory and even the series.
Samford (21-14, 10-7) was led by Durdaller who went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and a home run. Reliever Joseph Burns (2-0) picked up the win after pitching 1.2 innings and striking out two. C.K. Irby earned his sixth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
College of Charleston starter Christian Powell (6-2) picked up just his second loss of the season as he allowed four runs in 6.2 innings pitched while striking out a career-high 10 Bulldogs.
The Cougars (24-12, 13-7) were led once again by Daniel Aldrich who tallied multiple hits for the fourth straight game. Aldrich hit a double and drove in two runs. Brandon Murray went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and a run.
The Cougars got on the board first in the first inning with a two-out triple from Murray and an RBI double from Aldrich. Samford responded in the third inning with a solo home run from Durdaller to tie it at one.
Samford took the lead in the fourth inning with a walk from Saxon Butler and a double from Brandon Miller, but the Cougars tied it up in the fifth inning with a single and stolen base from Gantt and an RBI single from Aldrich.
Both teams scored runs in the sixth inning and the Bulldogs took the lead for good with a sacrifice fly RBI from Durdaller in the seventh inning. Samford scored a run in the ninth inning to clinch the 5-3 victory.
After the game, the Cougars participated in St. Baldrick's "Shaving Heads and Saving Lives" as 45 players, coaches, staff and volunteers shaved their head in solidarity with childhood cancer patients. Through Saturday evening, the team has raised nearly $10,000 and is still accepting donations.
The rubber game of the series will come at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Patriots Point.
Davidson 2, Wofford 1
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Senior RHP Ryan Overcash went the distance, striking out a career-high 11 and surrendering just one run on five hits and a walk to lead Davidson to a 2-1 victory over Wofford in Southern Conference baseball action Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Davidson (13-19, 5-12 SoCon) scored its two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a fielding error by the shortstop with two outs. Freshman designated hitter Ryan Lowe and senior first baseman Calvin Sigelbaum were both in scoring position when a ball hit by Brandt went under the shortstop's glove and into the outfield, allowing both to score.
Lowe reached base three times in four plate appearances with two hits and a walk, while Sigelbaum went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Catcher David Roney scored the lone Wofford (14-21, 3-11) run in the top of the fourth inning. He reached base on a walk with one out, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and was driven home by a double down the left field line by second baseman Josh Hyman.
Wofford RHP Jesse Morris (2-3) struck out nine Wildcats and surrendered just four hits and three walks, allowing the two unearned runs.
Overcash (3-5) held the Terriers hitless until the third inning when he allowed two base hits with one out. He escaped trouble though with a strike out and then a deep fly-out that senior centerfielder Drew Gadaire hauled in at the centerfield fence.
Overcash retired the sides in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, but he needed help again from Gadaire in the eighth, as Gadaire pulled a home run ball hit by first baseman Konstantine Diamaduros back over the fence for the out.
Third baseman Erick Brenk hit a leadoff single in the ninth inning and was sacrificed to second base, but Overcash was able to secure the final two outs for the win in his first-career complete game.
RHP Danny Mooney will look to lead Davidson to a series sweep Sunday at 1 p.m. at Wilson Field.
The Citadel 5, UNCG 4
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Grant Richards' two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth brought home Joe Jackson with the go-ahead run as The Citadel rallied back for a 5-4 victory over UNC Greensboro Saturday afternoon at Riley Park. The victory clinches the weekend series against the Spartans and improves the Bulldogs to 15-21 overall, 6-8 in the Southern Conference.
Jackson reached on a bunt single to first to lead off the eighth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bo Thompson. A groundout by Drew DeKerlegand advanced Jackson to third and Richards sharply hit a 0-1 pitch to third. Trevor Edwards made an acrobatic stop at third, but Richards beat out the throw by a half-step to give the Bulldogs the 5-4 lead.
Four different Citadel batters collected four hits apiece and James Reeves improved to 5-3 on the season, earning the win in relief. The southpaw allowed no runs on three hits in 1.2 innings with one strikeout. Ryan Hines came in and got the final out in the ninth for his third save. Citadel starter Kevin Connell went 5.2 innings, scattering five hits while allowing three runs, one earned. Connell walked four and struck out three.
Lloyd Enzor led UNCG (18-15, 4-10) with four of the Spartans nine hits and added two RBI. Lee Gilliam suffered the loss, falling to 2-2 on the season. Gilliam allowed one run on four hits in four innings with three strikeouts and one walk. Spartan starter Corey Taylor was tagged for four runs on six hits in four frames with two strikeouts.
UNCG took a 3-0 lead by scoring single runs in the second, third, and fifth innings off Citadel starter Kevin Connell. With one out in the second, Kris Richards hit and infield single and stole second. One out later, Richards advanced to third on a balk by Connell and scored went TJ Spina reached on a fielding error by shortstop Johnathan Stokes for a 1-0 lead.
The Spartans plated a second run in the third on a RBI single to left by Lloyd Enzor and extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth. With two away, Trevor Edwards doubled down the left-field line and scored when Stokes' throw to first on Enzor's single sailed past Joe Jackson.
The Bulldogs rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, collecting five straight singles to lead off the frame. Drew DeKerlegand lined a hard single to short and attempted sacrifice bunts by Grant Richards and Stokes turned into bunt singles when both Bulldogs reached base safely to load the bases for Hughston Armstrong. The sophomore right-fielder drilled a RBI single up the middle, cutting the deficit to 3-1 and leaving the bases full. Nick Orvin followed with a RBI single through the left side and a RBI groundout by Mason Davis knotted the score at 3-3. One out later, Jackson lined a RBI single to left to score Armstrong and give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
UNCG knotted the score at 4-4 in the top of seventh. Zach Leach drew a four-pitch walk from Citadel reliever Ross White to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Enzor lined a 1-2 pitch from White up the middle to bring home the tying run, giving him three hits on the afternoon.
The series wraps up with Sunday's first pitch at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Sports Radio 1450 AM with the "Voice of the Bulldogs" Danny Reed handling the play-by-play. The broadcast can also be heard online at CharlestonSportsRadio.com.
Western Carolina 9, Furman 2
Cullowhee, N.C. - Behind a four-run fourth inning that consisted of the Catamounts capitalizing on six-straight singles, Western Carolina defeated Furman, 9-2, winning its fourth Southern Conference series of the season at home at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
WCU improved to 24-11, 9-5 SoCon while the Paladins dropped to 17-19, 7-10 SoCon. Saturday's game was also the "Think Pink" game to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. WCU wore "Whee Think Pink" T-shirts during team pre-game batting practice.
Five Catamounts finished with multiple-hit games as Tyler White led the Catamounts offensively going 3-for-4 with 4 RBI batting clean-up. White also scored two of the Catamounts' nine runs. Though WCU put up 14 hits against the Paladins, none were extra base hits.
Starting pitcher Morgan McKinney pitched six full innings giving up seven hits while only giving up two runs in the win. Four relievers - Jon Nadale, Jeremy Sluder, Hunter Brister and Andrew Blackwell - pitched three innings of shutout baseball with five hits given up by the bullpen.
WCU scored in each of the first five innings, getting the offense started with two Catamounts crossing the plate in the bottom of the first. Short stop Aaron Attaway led off the WCU side of the first with a single to left field after working the count full against Furman starting pitcher Nate Smith. With Attaway on third and two outs, White tallied his first of three consecutive singles to bring across Attaway. An Adam Martin single advanced Tyler White to third base before White would score as the Furman third baseman botched Martin's ground ball and then threw the ball over the first baseman's head.
A wild pitch scored Bradley Strong who reached on a bunt single in the bottom of the second while Tyler White's second single added the fourth Catamount run in the third, giving the Catamounts a 4-1 advantage going into the fourth inning.
The Paladins picked up their final run of the afternoon in the fourth as left fielder Will Owens hit a ground ball to the infield that scored DH Taylor Johnson.
The Catamounts answered with their four-run, fourth inning. Attaway reached first on the first of six consecutive Catamount singles. With the bases loaded following a Ross Heffley single, White would again come up big for the Purple and Gold with a 2 RBI single up the middle. Adam Martin picked up an RBI with a single with Tyler White legging out two bases to reach third. Jacob Hoyle picked up an RBI with his pinch hit single to right field, adding the fourth run of the inning with the Martin run.
WCU added its final run of the game in the fifth with an RBI single from Cody Jones, scoring fellow outfielder Julian Ridings.
McKinney continued to throw for the Catamounts through the sixth, with reliever Jon Nadale entering in the top of the seventh. Nadale gave the Catamounts 1.1 innings, facing eight. Andrew Blackwell closed things out for WCU relieving Hunter Brister in the ninth with a Paladin on first. Following a Muzika line out to Aaron Attaway for the first out, center fielder Will Miller grounded out into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Furman starter Nate Smith got the loss for the Paladins, going 3.1 innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs - five of which were earned. McKinney earned the win for the Catamounts, improving to 5-1 on the season.
"I thought we played really well today," said head coach Bobby Moranda. "We played well defensively, turning a few big double plays. We had some big hits with two strikes today. I thought two strike hitting was the difference today in the game. I thought Tyler White's approach was outstanding today through the middle of the field. We had a few two-out RBI and those are backbreakers for opposing teams. Morgan [McKinney] made some big pitches when he needed to and competed. He just competes. The bullpen came in and helped us out in a big way. They all came in and threw strikes and did exactly what we needed them to do."
The Catamounts look for the sweep of the Paladins tomorrow at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium with first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m. Western Carolina will throw freshman Jeremy Null (RHP, 4-1, 5.45 ERA) as the Paladins look to counter with Tyler Wood (RHP, 3-4, 4.88 ERA).
Towson 9, Elon 0
ELON, N.C. -- After scoring a season-high 17 runs on Friday night, the Elon Phoenix returned to the Latham Park field on Saturday and found itself on the wrong side of a 9-0 score against the visiting Towson Tigers.
After three scoreless innings, Towson (18-17) broke through with a three-run fourth. The inning began with a Brendan Butler single up the middle and went to second when the throw to first on a ground was not handled. A bunt single by Peter Bowles should have loaded the bases, but the second Elon (20-17) error of the inning allowed Butler to score the game's first run. After a ground out scored the second run, a third Phoenix error let the third run cross the plate.
Elon kept it close and trailed 4-0 heading into the eighth inning when Towson added four insurance runs with Kurt Wertz, Pat Fitzgerald and Dominic Fratantuono all picking up a RBI. The Tigers added a final run in the ninth.
Towson pitchers recorded 17 outs via ground balls.
Kyle Webb (3-3) took the loss after he surrendered four runs (two earned) on five hits in seven innings.
Brandon Gonnella (3-2) hurled eight shutout frames to pick up the victory for the Tigers.
Eric Serra recorded two of Elon's six hits on the night. Ryan Kinsella took an 0-for-3 to snap his career-best 10-game hitting streak.
The Phoenix will look to win the series when the team play the rubber match at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.