The Citadel 8, Charleston Southern 5
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Calvin Orth established a career high with four hits and drove in runs with a triple and double in his first two at bats, powering The Citadel to its eighth straight win, an 8-5 victory over Charleston Southern on Tuesday at Riley Park.
Freshman right hander Austin Livingston worked a season-high five innings, allowing five hits and two runs with five strikeouts to win for the fourth time in as many decisions. Skylar Hunter allowed one hit and struck out one in the ninth for his 11th save and third in the last four games.
The Citadel (25-17) is working on its longest winning streak since taking 13 straight near the end of the 2010 campaign. The Bulldogs will look to build on their recent run of success this weekend when they return to Southern Conference play with a three-game series at Furman.
Charleston Southern dropped to 17-24 and has lost nine in a row at Riley Park. The Citadel has won two of three matchups with the Bucs this season and the teams play for the final time on May 14 at CSU Ballpark.
Charleston Southern cut a 7-1 deficit down to 7-5 before the Bulldogs added an insurance run in the eighth on Johnathan Stokes' second sacrifice fly of the game. Hunter gave up a two-out single to Alex Tomasovich before retiring Chase Shelton on a grounder to second to wrap up the win.
Orth topped his previous career best of three hits and moved his hitting streak to six in the second inning when he tripled into the right field corner to score Drew DeKerlegand. Stokes followed with an RBI single that gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.
Joe Jackson and Bo Thompson walked to start the third, and Orth knocked in Jackson with a double to center. Stokes also drove in his second run of the game when his sacrifice fly plated Thompson to build The Citadel cushion to 5-0. Orth added two singles, raising his batting average from .278 to .299, but was intentionally walked in the eighth in his last chance to hit for the cycle.
Thompson had a single later in the game and has reached base in 41 consecutive games. The sophomore started at first base for the first time since injuring his ankle against VCU on March 2 with Orth moving to third.
Mason Davis had a pair of singles to set a new career best with a 12-game hitting streak. Jackson served as the designated hitter, only the second time this season he has not been in the starting lineup at catcher, with Ryan Kilgallen making his first appearance of the season. Jackson did take over behind the plate for the final three innings.
Charleston Southern broke through for a run in the fifth on a double by Robbie Streett and single by John Faircloth, but the Bulldogs answered in their half of the frame on a two-run single by Brett Bullard. After the Bucs scored four in the sixth, the bullpen trio of Ross White, David Rivera and Hunter pitched two-hit shutout ball the rest of the way.
Western Carolina 2, Kennesaw State 0
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Aaron Attaway broke a scoreless tie with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the sixth inning with Tyler White collecting his 20th double of the season to drive in an insurance run as Western Carolina blanked visiting Kennesaw State, 2-0, Tuesday night in nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
The win was the eighth straight for the Catamounts – and their 10th in the last 11 games – while also halting a two-game home winless drought against the Owls. It also capped WCU’s nine-game home stand, finishing with an 8-1 record.
Attaway led all hitters with two hits in a 2-for-4 performance at the dish, belting his eighth home run of the season on the first pitch he saw in the home portion of the sixth to stake the Catamounts to a 1-0 lead. The Morganton, N.C., native recorded both runs for the Purple & Gold, reaching on a lead-off single in the eighth and stole second before White doubled to bring him home to stretch the advantage to two.
Three WCU pitchers combined on the shutout, the first for the Catamounts since May 11, 2012 when Jordan Smith tossed a complete game, five-hit shutout of Georgia Southern. Sophomore Tyler Powell earned his first collegiate start, scattering three hits in three innings of scoreless work while striking out two.
Senior Adam Curtis (2-1) tossed the middle four and two-thirds innings, working around two walks with a pair of strikeouts and limiting the Owls to just one base hit. The Arden, N.C., product benefited from the Attaway bomb to score the win. Classmate Preston Hatcher secured his 11th save to remain tied atop the SoCon charts, striking out one to get WCU out of a jam in the eighth before tossing a perfect ninth.
Finishing his conference-leading 23rd game of the season, Hatcher earned his 21st career save to move into sole possession of second-place within one of all-time record holder Seth Foster who had 22 saves from 2000-03. The Atlanta, Ga., native is also three saves shy of Mike Manning’s single-season record of 14 saves set in 1994 and six shy of the SoCon’s regular-season mark.
For Kennesaw State (21-22), starter Nathan Harsh was the tough-luck loser, surrendering the homer to Attaway but otherwise silencing the potent Catamount lineup. Harsh struck out a career-high eight against two walks in a career-long 6.2 innings on the hill, only allowing the one run on four hits. Reliever Will Solomon was touched up for a run on two hits with a strikeout.
WCU and Powell worked around a one-out double in the Owls’ first and a lead-off two-bagger in the second, stranding both runners including one at third base in the second frame. KSU put its lead-off man aboard again in the third but left its third runner on in the game.
In the fourth, Curtis surrendered a walk to the first batter he faced after tossing seven pitches, but induced a one-out, inning-ending ground ball for a double-play to erase Kennesaw State’s threat.
Kennesaw State got a two-out double in the sixth and a lead-off walk in the eighth but both runners were stranded. Hatcher replaced Curtis with two outs in the eighth, striking out Kal Simmons on three pitches to end the inning.
Western Carolina (27-16) hits the road on Wednesday night to battle the Clemson Tigers (27-13) which are ranked as high as 13th in the most recent college baseball polls. WCU looks to avenge a 12-9 home loss to the Tigers back on April 9 – the lone loss for the Catamounts in their nine-game home stand. WCU erased a six-run deficit to knot the game at nine apiece in the first meeting, but a three-run top of the ninth for Jack Leggett’s squad led Clemson to the win, halting WCU’s two-game series win streak.
A pair of freshmen are slated to start for either squad as rookie right-hander Jonathan Waszak (0-0, 4.24 ERA) will start for the Catamounts while freshman LHP Zack Erwin (2-0, 2 saves, 2.43 ERA) is slated to go for the Tigers.
Wednesday’s game is the first of five-straight road games for the Catamounts.
Appalachian State 7, North Carolina A&T 3
BOONE, N.C. – Making the first start of his career, true freshman Rob Howard allowed just one run in 5.2 innings and Appalachian State University baseball cruised to its 13th straight win over North Carolina A&T, a 7-3 triumph on Tuesday evening at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Howard (1-0) limited N.C. A&T to just four hits and struck out four in his first career victory. The freshman had pitched only nine innings in his collegiate career before being called upon to make the start for Appalachian State (22-15), which is in the midst of a grueling stretch of 13 games in 17 days.
Howard sailed through the first five innings, retiring seven in a row at one point and surrendering just two singles. While the right-hander was nearly flawless on the mound, his offense scored a run in the first inning and two in the second, fourth and fifth to stake him to a commanding 7-0 lead.
After throwing no more than 51 pitches in any of the first six appearances of his career, Howard began to run out of gas as he approached the 75-pitch mark in the sixth inning. However, he still managed to limit the damage to just one run before leaving to a standing ovation with two outs and a 7-1 advantage in the sixth.
Red-hot Hector Crespo was once again the catalyst for Appalachian State’s offense. The senior went 2-for-4 with three RBI, giving him multiple hits for the fourth game in a row, sixth time in seven games, ninth time in 11 games and 17th time in 28 games. With the 2-for-4 effort, Crespo also raised his batting average to an even .350 on the season.
William Head also had two hits and scored two runs for the Mountaineers while Noah Holmes and Gabe Dimock chipped in with an RBI apiece.
Kelvin Freeman (3-for-4) and Dairio Little (2-for-3) combined for five of North Carolina A&T’s seven hits. Starting pitcher Dustin Myers (0-4) allowed three runs in just 1.2 innings of work for the Aggies, which dropped its fifth-consecutive game.
Appalachian State returns to the road on Wednesday when it makes the short jaunt to Johnson City, Tenn. for a matchup with longtime local rival ETSU. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at ETSU’s Thomas Stadium.
Furman 11, USC Upstate 6
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Will Muzika went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs and Greg Harrision and Andrew MacLatchie both homered to power Furman past USC Upstate, 11-6, in Tuesday baseball action at Fluor Field.
Muzika, who batted third in the order for the first time this season, singled and scored in a two-run Furman first inning, drew a bases loaded walk in the fifth, and singled sharply to third base in the ninth to plate two more runs in helping Furman (22-17) complete the two-game season sweep of USC Upstate (23-19).
Greg Harrison, meanwhile, continued his impressive emergence from a knee injury by belting a two-run home run to left field in second inning, ripping an RBI double in the third, and reaching on a hit by pitch and scoring in the fifth. The Hilton Head, S.C., junior designated hitter wrapped up his 3-for-4, 3-RBI, 3-run performance with a single in the ninth.
The Paladins, who banged out 12 hits in the game to improve to 6-1 at Fluor Field this season, also got a big evening from freshman catcher MacLatchie, whose three-run third inning home run gave Furman an 8-2 lead. He also walked twice, part of 10 bases on balls issued by USC Upstate pitching.
Furman got an effective start from junior right-hander Jacques de Gruy (1-1), who had totaled only 4 2/3 innings and three appearances prior to Tuesday’s action at the Spartans. He allowed two runs on three hits and walked three while fanning four over four innings.
After his teammates had given him an 8-2 lead, de Gruy surrendered a leadoff single, a walk, and a hit batsman to load the bases in the third. He rallied, however, to strike out Brandon Patterson and then got Brody Greer to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Furman led 9-2 after seven innings before a sacrifice fly RBI and Luke Weber two-run home run in the eighth pulled the Spartans to within four runs.
The Paladins answered in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with a single and two walks before Muzika’s sharp single to third base drove home Jordan Simpson and Griffin Davis.
USC Upstate starting and losing pitcher Ben Augenstein (2-4) was roughed up for eight runs on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out one.
Furman opens a Southern Conference home series against rival The Citadel on Friday in a 6:00 p.m. game at Latham Stadium. Saturday’s contest is set for 4:00 p.m. and first pitch for Sunday’s finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.
College of Charleston 14, Coastal Carolina 2
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – College of Charleston’s offense exploded for 14 runs on 19 hits in a big non-conference win over Coastal Carolina, 14-2, on Tuesday night at Patriots Point.
The win snapped Charleston’s (22-18) four-game skid on mid-week games and evened the season series with Coastal Carolina (25-16). It was just the third game in the last seven series matchups that was not decided by one run.
College of Charleston tied a season high with 19 hits and hit double digits in runs for the ninth time this season. The 14 runs were the most given up by Coastal Carolina’s pitching staff all season, which entered the game with a 2.76 team ERA.
The Cougars had three players tally four hits led by Blake Butler’s career day at the plate. The freshman second baseman tallied four hits and two runs, with a career-high four RBI. Cody Martin was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Gunnar Heidt also tallied four hits with three RBI.
Carl Wise extended his team-best hitting streak to 11 games with a single and two runs scored.
CofC senior Drew Freie (4-4) picked up the win in his first career start. He last 3.1 IP on a predetermined split, tallying three hits and three strikeouts while not allowing a run. Coastal Carolina starter Brady Arenson (0-1) allowed five runs in two innings to pick up the loss.
Will Remillard led the CCU offensive effort, notching two hits, scoring a run and driving in another.
Charleston opened the game with five runs in the second inning, taking advantage of doubles from Martin, Morgan Phillips and Butler.
Heidt hit an RBI double in the fourth frame and Butler scored two with a two-out single in the fifth inning to push the Cougars’ lead to 8-0.
Coastal Carolina threatened with a two-out rally in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on RBIs from Remillard and Justin Creel to cut the score to 8-2.
However, the Cougars responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out RBI from Martin to score Heidt. Charleston put the game away in the seventh inning with five runs on three hits, including another double from Martin, to put the margin at 14-2.
Dre Watts finished the game with two perfect innings, striking out two in the eighth and ninth frames.
Charleston will remain at home this weekend with a non-conference series against Radford. CofC will play a doubleheader on Saturday which will now begin at 2 p.m. Sunday’s finale is scheduled for noon.
No. 6 NC State 4, Davidson 3
RALEIGH, N.C. – No. 6 NC State never led until the end, but a sacrifice fly by James Fincher gave the Wolfpack a 4-3, walk-off win over Davidson in non-conference baseball action Tuesday evening at Doak Field.
Second baseman Sam Foy led Davidson (12-27), going 3-for-4, while centerfielder Forrest Brandt went 2-for-3 with a walk. Third baseman David Daniels (1-for-5) had two RBI and catcher Chris Dyer (1-for-4) had one.
Davidson scored three runs in the fifth inning and held NC State (33-10) scoreless until allowing a run in the sixth inning. Fincher then drove in runners from second and third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game. Davidson got a pair of runners on in the eighth but came up empty, and then went down in order in the top of the ninth. Left fielder Logan Ratledge singled up the middle to lead off the bottom half, then stole second with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch during Fincher’s at-bat. Fincher then flied out to center to end the game.
Three Wolfpack pitchers combined to hold Davidson scoreless over the final four innings, with LHP Grant Sasser (3-0) earning the win after retiring the side in the top of the ninth. RHP/SS Michael Zeblo (1-1) took the loss after taking the mound from shortstop with one out in the eighth.
Davidson’s runs all came in the fifth inning. Foy led the frame off with a base hit to left field, and right fielder Nathan Becker and left fielder Lee Miller were both hit by pitches to bring Dyer to the dish with the bases loaded and nobody out. Dyer delivered with a single up the middle to drive in Foy, and Daniels followed with a double down the right field line to score both Becker and Miller. RHP Anthony Tzamtzis, who entered prior to Daniels’ at-bat, struck out the next three Wildcats in order after surrendering the double, stranding Dyer and Daniels in scoring position.
Brandt reached third base with no outs in the sixth inning, but was stranded, and the Wolfpack would get on the scoreboard in the bottom half. Shortstop Trea Turner (1-for-2, 3 BB), ranked second in the nation in batting, doubled to lead-off the frame, stole third base and scored on a wild pitch for NC State’s first run.
RHP Nick Neitzel started for Davidson and pitched a career-high three-plus innings, facing the first batter of the fourth inning. He allowed just two hits and walked and struck out three. Neitzel was relieved by RHP Jip Richards, who allowed a run on a hit and two walks and struck out three in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Davidson was strong defensively, especially early in the game. Neitzel struck out two in the first, the ‘Cats turned a double play in the second, and then Dyer caught Turner stealing in the third. Dyer became just the second catcher to ever throw out Turner at second, who had led the nation in stolen bases last season and ranks 30th this season. Dyer also picked off NCSU runner, Brett Austin, in the fourth inning at second base.
Davidson is playing nine of its final 10 games on the road, and will begin a crucial three-game, Southern Conference series on the road at Wofford. The Wildcats and Terriers are tied at 7-14 for ninth place in the SoCon, and both teams are looking to move into eighth to earn a place in the SoCon Tournament.
East Carolina 8, Elon 5
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Down to their final out of the game, the East Carolina Pirates rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the visiting Elon Phoenix 8-5 in non-league baseball action on Tuesday night.
Elon (22-21) trailed ECU 3-1 heading to the eighth inning before Ryan Kinsella crushed his SoCon-leading 17th home run of the season over the wall in right-center with two men aboard to put the Phoenix in front 4-3. The maroon and gold then tacked on a run in the ninth when Sebastian Gomez lined a single to left that plated Casey Jones.
The last of the ECU (21-20) ninth began with a ground out and a fly out before a walk and single put men at first and second. Zach Houchins then sent a 2-2 pitch into the right-center gap to tie the game at five. The Pirates kept the pressure up with a walk before Ben Fultz drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right to end the game.
The loss went to Nate Young (1-1) who was charged with three runs on three hits in 2.2 innings. Elon starter Andrew MacDonald set a career high with five strikeouts in two innings. He was followed to the mound by John Antonelli who matched his personal best of four strikeouts in two frames.
Nick Durazo (1-4) took the win by recording the last out of the top of the ninth inning.
For Elon, Jones had three of the club's eight hits, while ECU's Houchins had four of that squad's eight hits on the night.
The Phoenix will be back in action again on Friday in a 6 p.m. contest at Georgia Southern. That league series will also feature games at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Troy 8, Samford 2
TROY, Ala. – The Troy baseball team plated seven runs on one hit in the bottom of the seventh inning on its way to an 8-2 win over Samford Tuesday evening at Riddle-Pace Field.
Samford falls to 22-20 with the loss. Troy improves to 30-11 with the win.
The teams entered the bottom of the seventh inning tied at 1-1. Samford walked three batters and hit one, while committing two errors, allowing the Trojans to plate seven runs on just one hit to take an 8-1 lead on its way to the 8-2 win.
For the game, Samford was led at the plate by Austin Allison, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Richard Greene also drove in a run, going 1-for-3 with a double. Eric Wright (3-3) pitched 6.0 innings, giving up five runs, just three earned, on seven hits to take the loss on the mound for Samford. Patrick Maronde and Patrick McGavin also saw time on the mound for the Bulldogs.
Troy was led by Logan Pierce, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Danny Collins, Trae Santos and Matthew Howard also drove in runs for Troy. Nate Hill (2-2) pitched 3.0 innings, giving up one run on two hits to pick up the win for the Trojans.
Samford struck first, plating a run in the top of the fifth inning. Tommy Corbin walked to lead off the inning. After moving to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Greene, Corbin scored on a single by Allison for a 1-0 Samford lead.
Troy tied the score with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pierce and Collins hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Santos then doubled to drive in Pierce to make the score 1-1.
In Troy’s seven-run seventh inning, Pierce drove in two runs, while Collins and Howard drove in one run each for the Trojans.
Samford plated one final run in the top of the eighth inning to make the final score 8-2. With one out in the inning, Corbin doubled to right-center field. Corbin then moved to third base on a wild pitch. Corbin then scored when Greene grounded out for the game’s final run.
Samford will return to action on Friday, April 26, when the Bulldogs open a three-game Southern Conference series at Appalachian State. Friday’s series-opener is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. (CT) start from Boone, N.C.