Georgia Southern 8, No. 13 Florida 7 (12 inn.)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A bases-loaded walk by freshman Cole Watson drove in the game-winning run as Georgia Southern defeated No. 13 Florida 8-7 in 12 innings on Wednesday. The win was the Eagles' third in the all-time series and the second in the last three years.

Kyle Rowe picked up the win for Georgia Southern (3-1) after throwing four innings in relief. Rowe (1-0) worked around four walks and did not allow a run while striking out two.

Corey Stump took the loss for Florida (3-2) after giving up an unearned run on two hits. Stump (0-2) faced eight batters over two innings.

T.D. Davis recorded three of the Eagles' 10 hits and scored three runs. Ben Morgan and Hunter Thomas added two hits each. Casey Turgeon was one of three Gator hitters with two hits and drove in three runs.

Georgia Southern jumped out to a 6-1 lead after scoring three runs in the top of the fifth. After tying the game with a run in the second inning, Thomas drove in two runs with a single to center field in the fourth inning.

Florida tied the contest at 6-6 in the bottom half of the fifth. The Gators scored five runs, including three on a home run by the pitcher Justin Shafer.

Florida took a 7-6 lead after Harrison Bader grounded into a double play, which allowed Josh Tobias to score from third base.

Davis tied the game at 7 with a ninth-inning two-out single through the left side of the infield. Davis scored Morgan, who singled and stole second base before scoring the tying run.

Four straight Eagles reached base to start the 12th inning, and Watson's bases loaded walk scored the winning run in Davis.

 

Western Carolina 7, Wake Forest 2

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – A four-run first inning gave Western Carolina the momentum it needed to power past Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Catamounts (3-1) also used three pitchers who just gave up three runs as senior LHP Adam Curtis tallied his first win of the season. The Deacons tallied their second loss of the season (3-2).

With one out in the bottom of the first, Julian Ridings hit a shot to the right-center wall and sped around the bases to pick up the Catamounts’ first triple of the season. Tyler White came up and hit a first-pitch single up the middle of the infield to bring Ridings in for the first run of the day. The next extra-base hit came with the next batter as Jacob Hoyle hit a double down the left field line to move White to third. The hits continued as Austin Neary hit a single up the middle to bring in both base runners. Cody Jones continued the first-inning offensive onslaught with an RBI double down the right field line to score Neary, putting the Catamounts ahead early with a 4-0 lead.

Right fielder Jones robbed Joe Napolitano of a home run in the top of the fifth as he reached up and brought the ball back from over the fence to make the first out in the inning. The Deacons came back with two outs to send one over the fence as Brett Armour sent a line drive over the left-center fence to get Wake Forest on the board.

The Catamounts answered in the bottom half of the fifth with a line drive home run of their own as Ridings hit a shot over the right field fence off Wake Forest pitcher Nate Jones - who entered in the fifth - to again give WCU a four-run cushion.

Wake Forest threatened in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with three straight base hits off of relief pitcher Bryce Danielson. After a bunt single loaded the bases, head coach Bobby Moranda went to the bullpen to bring in freshman RHP Jonathan Waszak.

Waszak saw one batter - Matt Conway - who hit a bloop single to right field that scored one run, making the score 5-2 in favor of the Catamounts. Moranda returned to the bullpen and brought in preseason All-America selection Preston Hatcher. Hatcher promptly struck out the next two batters he saw to get the Catamounts out of the jam.

The Catamounts picked up another run in the bottom of the eighth as Cody Jones picked up his second double of the game, a long hit off the center field fence, scoring Neary from first. Bryant Noteboom pinch-hit for WCU in the bottom of the eighth and delivered with a two-out double down the left field line to score the Catamounts' seventh run of the game.

Curtis gave the Catamounts six excellent innings of work as the southpaw struck out a career-high eight Demon Deacons while only walking one in his first outing of the 2013 season. Freshman Bryce Danielson came in and went 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts to set up Hatcher's third save of the season. Hatcher struck out four of the five batters he faced in his 1 2/3 innings pitched.

The Catamounts next make the short trip to Greenville, S.C., for the Greenville Drive First Pitch Classic at Fluor Field, the site of the 2013 Southern Conference Baseball Championship. Western Carolina opens up the tournament with Michigan State on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.

 

UNCG 10, UNC Asheville 9

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a game-winning RBI single from senior infielder Trevor Edwards to give the Spartans a 10-9 victory over in-state rival UNC Asheville Wednesday night at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

The Blue and Gold held an 8-3 cushion after the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs chipped away – scoring six unanswered runs before the Spartans rallied late.

Edwards broke out in a big way in the midweek affair as he was 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI – including a three-run bomb in UNCG’s six-run fourth inning. Senior outfielder Christian Wolfe continued his strong offensive start to the season, recording three hits in six at bats while also scoring three runs and posting a pair of RBI. Additionally, redshirt freshman infielder Nin Marrero rounded out the Spartans’ 15-hit attack with three base knocks of his own.

As a team, the Blue and Gold recorded double-digit hits for the second time in three contests to open the year while UNCG also tallied its first double-figure run output of the young season.

Freshman Ryan Clark (1-0) picked up the win in relief for UNCG after throwing two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts. The Spartans used eight pitchers in the four-hour marathon. Sophomore RHP Tyler Frazier threw three innings without allowing a hit or run and struck out five batters to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

The teams committed seven errors between them, four by the homestanding UNCG side, in a sloppy contest that led to four unearned runs for UNC Asheville and six unearned for the Spartans.

UNCG took a quick 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first as a bunt single by senior infielder TJ Spina was followed by a wild pitch and an Edwards RBI double. The Spartans could not muster anything further as a strikeout and groundout helped the Bulldog starter Tommy Houmard escape the inning.

A two-out hit parade in the top of the second by UNC Asheville propelled the visitors into the lead as the Bulldogs benefitted from two extra-base hits (four total) and a UNCG error to move in front 3-1. Eli Miller posted a RBI triple in the frame before Robert McIntosh delivered with a RBI double.

The Spartans grabbed a run back in the bottom of the third as Wolfe led the inning off with a double. He then advanced to third base on a wild pitch before Spina flied out to left. Edwards was then hit by a pitch, bringing up senior infielder Lloyd Enzor, who came through with a sac fly to left field, which scored Wolfe. Sophomore designated hitter Eric Kalbfleisch struck out swinging to end the threat.

After Frazier silenced the Bulldog bats in the top of the fourth, UNCG exploded for a six spot in the bottom of the frame to assume an 8-3 cushion. The inning began innocently enough as junior outfielder Cole Harrison struck out and sophomore outfielder Zac MacAneney grounded out, but Marrero singled up the middle with two outs and junior catcher Cambric Moye reached on an error by the UNCA third baseman. Wolfe singled up the middle in his at-bat, scoring Marrero and Moye before Spina took advantage of an error by the Bulldog second baseman to put runners on first and third for Edwards.

The Canada native saw a pitch he liked and smashed it over the left field wall for his first home run of the season and the 27th of his career – a mark which leads all active players in the Southern Conference. Kalbfleisch rounded out the inning with an RBI double that plated Enzor. All told, the Spartans scored six runs on four hits and two UNC Asheville errors in the frame.

The game settled down until the top of the seventh as the Bulldogs took advantage of a pair of UNCG fielding gaffes to net three unearned runs. McIntosh walked to lead off the inning Billy Creighton reached on an error by freshman pitcher Adam Anderson. Creighton was thrown out at second 2-5-6 on the play for the first out but the Spartans could not limit the damage. UNCA pulled within 8-6 before junior RHP Dylan Thompson induced a groundout to end the frame.

MacAneney singled on the infield to begin the Spartans’ half of the seventh, but he was eventually thrown out at home and Wolfe and Spina struck out consecutively to keep the score the same.

The UNCG bullpen faltered in the top of the eighth as UNC Asheville benefitted from a pair of bases-loaded walks on the way to a three-run outburst. Miller singled to begin the inning before advancing to second on a wild pitch by Spartan sophomore reliever Brennen James. McIntosh walked in his at-bat and Creighton reached on catcher’s interference to load the bases. The Bulldogs tied the game via free passes in their next two at-bats and Kyle Towles put UNCA into the lead 9-8 with a two-out infield single off the newly entered Clark that plated Creighton. Clark was able to fan pinch-hitter Lucas Owens looking to terminate the inning and keep UNCG within striking distance.

Kalbfleisch reached on catcher’s interference in the bottom of the eighth, but that was all for the Spartans as Clark worked a 1-2-3 top of the ninth to set up the Blue and Gold’s heroics in the ninth.

The Spartans return to the diamond Friday, hosting Atlantic 10 member Dayton in the first of a three-game series at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.

 

The Citadel 6, Winthrop 4

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Bailey Rush drove a two-out double into right center to score Drew DeKerlegand with two outs in the eighth, breaking a 4-4 tie and giving The Citadel a 6-4 victory over Winthrop on Wednesday night at Riley Park.

The win improved the Bulldogs to 3-1 while the Eagles dropped to 1-2. The teams will meet again on March 5 in Rock Hill, S.C.

With two outs and nobody on in the eighth, DeKerlegand was hit by a pitch by Sam Kmiec. On a 1-0 count, Rush's drive split the gap and DeKerlegand easily raced home to make it 5-4. Rush also scored on the play when the relay throw eluded Winthrop catcher Reid Langdale.

The Eagles threw a scare into the Bulldogs in the ninth when Matt Lobacz walked and Clay Altman singled off closer Skylar Hunter to put the tying runs on base with nobody out. After a sacrifice bunt, the freshman right hander struck out Kyle Edwards and Chad Smith to earn his first collegiate save.

David Rivera, the sixth of seven Citadel pitchers in the game, worked a perfect eighth with one strikeout to pick up his first win as a Bulldog. Kmiec allowed three hits and one earned run in three innings in taking the loss.

Winthrop scored twice in both the first and third innings and took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Johnathan Stokes led off with a single, Hughston Armstrong reached on an error and both runners advanced on a sacrifice by Mason Davis.

One out later, Joe Jackson continued his RBI splurge with a two-run single through the right side to even the game at 4. The junior catcher has driven in nine runs through the first four games of the season, the top mark in the Southern Conference.

The Eagles reached Austin Livingston for two runs on three hits in the first inning before the Bulldogs battled back to tie it on RBI singles by Bo Thompson in the bottom of the first and Armstrong an inning later. Winthrop regained the lead in the third, taking advantage of a pair of Citadel errors.

Livingston was making his first career start. He went the first two innings and allowed four hits and all four Winthrop runs (three earned) with three walks and three strikeouts.

Another Bulldog freshman, left hander Nate Brecklin, made his collegiate debut and threw shutout innings in the fourth and fifth, giving up two hits and fanning a pair.

The Citadel hits the road for the first time this season when the Bulldogs travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to face North Florida in a three-game series Friday through Sunday. The teams split a two-game set at Riley Park a year ago.

 

Elon 7, North Carolina A&T 5

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Spencer Medick stymied hitters for seven innings while Ryan Kinsella went 3-for-5 with two RBI as the Elon Phoenix picked up a 7-5 victory at North Carolina A&T on Wednesday afternoon.

Medick (1-1) allowed just three hits and no runs over his seven shutout innings. From the second into the fifth, Medick retired 10 consecutive hitters before an error allowed an Aggie runner to reach. He then set down the next five. Medick also struck out six and did not walk a batter as Elon improved to 2-2 on the year.

The Phoenix offense got things going quickly, scoring three runs in its first at-bat. Sebastian Gomez led off the first by lining a double down the right field line and headed to third on a groundout before scoring on an Alex Swim single. The hit extended Swim's hitting streak to 11 games dating back to last season. With runners on second and third and two outs, a wild pitch brought in the second Elon run. The third came in on a Wil Leathers single.

With Elon still holding a 3-0 lead in the fourth, Casey Jones started another offensive blitz by the Maroon and Gold with a walk. Singles by Antonio Alvarez and Blaine Bower followed to load the bases. After a fielder's choice erased the lead runner but left the bags full, Joey Tomko drove home two with a single through the right side. Kinsella capped the four-run frame with a two-run triple to right-center as Elon built a 7-0 advantage.

Elon continued to hold on to its 7-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth when North Carolina A&T (2-2) rallied. The inning began with a single, a walk and a hit batter before another walk forced in the first Aggie run. Kelvin Freeman made it a 7-3 game with a two-run single through the right side of the infield before a fielder's choice brought home the fourth run. A&T pulled within two on a wild pitch before Elon escaped the inning.

Nate Young came in and struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

A&T's Dustin Myers (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in one inning.

Four Elon players posted multi-hit attacks - Kinsella, Gomez (2-for-5), Swim (2-for-4) and Leathers (2-for-5).

The Phoenix will remain on the road this weekend and will participate in the Caravelle Resort Tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina. Elon is slated to play two games on Friday, beginning with an 11 a.m. contest against No. 8 Kentucky. That will be followed by a game with Coastal Carolina at 3 p.m. The Phoenix is scheduled to face Kansas State on Saturday at 11 a.m.

 

Gardner-Webb 6, Furman 1

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Erik Heilgenstadt pitched six innings of shutout ball and Gardner-Webb took advantage of a rash of Furman wild pitches to down the Paladins, 6-1, in Wednesday afternoon baseball action at Latham Stadium.

The win improved Gardner-Webb to 2-0-1 on the season while the loss dropped Furman to 2-1 on the young campaign.

Heilgenstadt (1-0), a sophomore left-hander, surrendered six hits over his six innings of work, struck out two and induced a pair of double play grounders en route to earning the victory.

Gardner-Webb had only six hits, but the Bulldogs feasted on the wildness of Furman pitchers, who combined for eight wild pitches, six walks, two hit batsmen and a balk. The Paladins also committed two first-inning errors behind starting pitcher Tyler Wood, which led to the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly by John Harris.

Gardner-Webb stretched its lead to 4-0 with three runs in the fourth against Paladin reliever Jacques de Gruy (0-1), who only allowed one hit — an RBI double by Benji Jackson — but was charged with four wild pitches, three walks, a hit batsman and a balk before exiting the game.

The Bulldogs tacked on two more runs in the fifth on Harris’ second sacrifice fly of the game and a Brad Collins RBI single to left field.

Furman avoided the shutout with a Hunter Burton RBI single in the seventh that scored Griffin Davis, who had reached with a pinch-hit single in his first collegiate at bat.

Burton had two of the Paladins’ eight hits.

Henry Rundio recorded two of Gardner-Webb’s six hits.

Furman will entertain Miami of Ohio on Friday at Latham Stadium in a 4 p.m. game and will play a Saturday doubleheader at Fluor Field beginning with Michigan State at 2 p.m., followed by a clash against Cincinnati at 6 p.m.

 

North Carolina Central 3, Davidson 1

DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman Lee Miller’s second home run in as many games was Davidson’s lone score as North Carolina Central defeated the Wildcats, 3-1, in nonconference baseball action Wednesday evening in Durham Athletic Park.

The victory was the first for NCCU (3-0) in nine meetings against Davidson (2-1). LHP Jordan Quinn (1-0) held the Wildcats to one run on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Eagles totaled 12 hits in the game, scoring a run each in the first, third and fifth innings before Miller’s two-out solo shot in the sixth inning. Akeem Hood, who went 2-for-4 with a walk and RBI for the game, scored the first NCCU run on a throwing error while attempting to steal third base. Carter Williamson hit an RBI single in the third, and a Hood groundout scored a runner from third for an insurance run.

RHP Danny Mooney (0-1) started for Davidson, allowing two runs on eight hits in three innings, while striking out two. RHP Bryan DaCanal, LHP Rob Bain, RHP Jip Richards and RHP Matt Saeta combined to hold the Eagles to one run over the final five innings.

LHP Gavin Guarrera (1) retired the side in the ninth to earn the save for NCCU.

Davidson is slated to begin a four-game homestand Friday at 6 p.m. against Georgetown and will also host Lafayette during the weekend.