Davidson 7, Wake Forest 6
DAVIDSON, N.C. – A six-run sixth inning erased a two-run deficit for Davidson and led the Wildcats past Wake Forest, 7-6, in nonconference baseball action Wednesday night at Wilson Field.
The victory improved Davidson’s record to 11-6 and extended its winning streak to eight games – the longest since the Wildcats won nine straight in 1964. It also gave the ‘Cats a home-and-home series split with ACC foe Wake Forest (13-9), as the Demon Deacons used a ninth-inning rally to force extra innings and win in the 12th inning in the ‘Cats’ season opener in Winston-Salem, N.C., in February.
Four Wildcats posted two-hit games, led by hot-hitting centerfielder Forrest Brandt, who doubled and scored two runs. Shortstop Sam Foy and third baseman David Daniels also had doubles amongst their two hits each, and each had an RBI.
Ty Middlebrooks, who had a career game Friday against The Citadel, was a factor off the bench again for the Wildcats, hitting a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded to drive in two runs in the decisive sixth inning. Davidson sent nine batters to the plate in the frame and led the inning off with four consecutive hits before drawing a walk with the bases loaded, which Middlebrooks followed with his double.
Trailing 7-4 entering the top of the ninth inning, Wake Forest scored two unearned runs and had the go-ahead run on-base, but RHP Michael Goldberg was able to get the final two outs for his first career save.
Wake Forest had held the lead from the third inning to the bottom of the sixth inning.
With Davidson trailing 3-1, Brandt led off the sixth with a double and then advanced on a single by right fielder Nathan Becker (2-for-4, R) and scored on a throwing error on the play. Foy and left fielder Lee Miller (1-for-4, R) then both singled to load the bases, and Arkin drew a walk to score Becker for the second run of the frame. Middlebrooks’ double drove in two, and then two runs scored on a single by Daniels for a 7-3 lead.
Wake Forest ultimately out-hit Davidson, 12-11, by virtue of three hits in the ninth. Center fielder and leadoff batter Evan Stephens paced Wake, going 3-for-5 with a double and RBI. Designated hitter Charlie Morgan (1-for-5) had the only other Demon Deacon RBIs on a two-run home run.
Davidson had gotten on the scoreboard first when an RBI double by Foy in the second inning drove in Brandt. The Demon Deacons went ahead in the third inning when Morgan hit the two-run home run with a full count and two outs, and they added another run in the top of the sixth inning on a wild pitch.
LHP Justin Charles (2-0) was one of seven pitchers Davidson used, and he earned the win after getting the final two outs in the top of the sixth inning. RHP Clark Beeker started and allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work, and he was followed by RHP Durin O’Linger, who matched his career high of five strikeouts and allowed just one hit, also in 2 2/3 innings. O’Linger struck out the side looking in the fifth inning.
RHP Connor Johnstone (1-1) had cruised for Wake Forest until the sixth inning, when he was unable to get an out. He was charged with five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
Davidson will return to Southern Conference action Friday at 6 p.m., beginning a three-game series against Wofford.
The Citadel 3, Winthrop 2
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Johnathan Stokes drove in the tiebreaking run in the third and The Citadel pitching staff blanked Winthrop over the final eight innings in a 3-2 victory Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 9-12 heading into their first Southern Conference home series of the season against Samford, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Winthrop dropped to 9-12 on the year.
The Citadel extended its winning streak over its Upstate rival to six games while also taking 11 of the last 13 dating back to 2007. The teams will meet again at Riley Park on April 22.
Austin Mason started and went four innings, allowing four hits and two runs to earn his first win of the season. He gave up two hits and two walks to the first four Eagles he faced before retiring 11 of his final 14 batters.
The bullpen combination of Zach McKay, Nate Brecklin and Paul Joseph Krouse limited the Eagles to only one hit over three innings before Winthrop threatened in the eighth, putting its first two runners on base against Ross White on a single and walk.
Skylar Hunter was summoned to put out the fire, and the sophomore closer responded with five strikeouts in two innings to pick up his fifth save of the year and 18th of his career, moving him into sole possession of seventh place in school history and only one shy of tying Drew Mahaffey for sixth.
After John Menken sacrificed the tying and go-ahead runs into scoring position, Hunter fanned Stephen Wallace and Brad Kaczka to apparently end the inning, but Ryan Kilgallen could not get a handle on the third strike to Kaczka, loading the bases with two out. Hunter made it a moot point when he fanned Mark Lowrie for his third punch-out of the inning.
Hunter finished off the win an inning later when he retired the Eagles in order, including two more strikeouts.
The Bulldogs (9-12) scored single runs in each of the first three innings, with Stokes driving in Drew DeKerlegand with the last of three consecutive two-out singles in the third for what proved to be the final run of the game.
The Citadel took a 1-0 lead in the first when Mason Davis singled, stole his 13th base of the season and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Griffin. After Winthrop scored its two runs in the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs tied it in the second on a sacrifice fly by Davis before the two-out rally provided the winning run an inning later.
Winthrop ran itself out of a potential rally in the sixth when Stephen Wallace doubled to left center but was called out on an appeal when he missed first base. The Eagles were poised to tie it in the seventh with a runner at second and two outs, when Leighton Daniels singled to center. Kyle Edwards rounded third and was going to score easily but tripped over the bag and had to retreat.
Brecklin made Winthrop pay for the miscue when he retired Chad Smith on a fly out to center to end the inning.
Wofford 10, Presbyterian 6
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team used a two-out rally after the seventh-inning stretch to beat Presbyterian College 10-6 on Wednesday night. The game was played at Fluor Field, home of the Single-A Boston Red Sox affiliate, the Greenville Drive. Eric Brenk hit a three-run homer to cap off a five-run seventh to give the Terriers the victory.
The win moved Wofford to 14-7 on the season and the Blue Hose fell to 10-11-1 with the loss. The Terriers were led by Josh Hyman with three hits and two RBIs, while Brenk added a hit and three RBIs. Weston Jackson had four hits to lead Presbyterian.
Hyman led off the ball game with a triple to right field to put him in scoring position. Alec Paradowski then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Hyman for the first run of the game. The Terriers then loaded the bases, drawing two walks and a batter getting hit by a pitch. Dylan May hit a bases-clearing double to give Wofford a 4-0 lead at the end of the first.
In the top of the second, Jackson hit a one-out base hit and then two runners walked to load the bases. Michael Trebendis hit a sacrifice fly to score Jackson from third, and Derek Long hit a single up the middle to clear the bases. Presbyterian left Long on base but cut into Wofford's lead 4-3.
Cam McRae tied the game at 4-4, crushing a home run over the Green Monster in left field. Jackson had his second base hit of the night with a single up the middle but was stranded going into the bottom of the third.
The Blue Hose took the lead 5-4 in the top of the fourth. Trebendis singled to center and Long hit a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher to advance the runner to second. Leadoff man Nate Chong then scored Trebendis with an RBI double down the left-field line, giving Presbyterian its first lead of the ball game.
Brad Zebedis led off the fifth with Presbyterian's second home run over the Green Monster of the evening to give the Blue Hose a 6-4 lead. Jackson followed by hitting a double to left-center with one out and advanced to third on a groundout to the shortstop but was stranded on third.
Wofford scored for the first time since the first inning to bring the game within one in the sixth, 6-5. Hyman led off the inning with a double down the left-field line and Paradowski walked to put two on base. Both runners advanced on a failed pickoff attempt by the pitcher and Neely hit into a fielder's choice as Hyman scored and Paradowski was thrown out at third.
After the seventh-inning stretch, the Terriers had a two-out rally and scored five runs to take a 10-6 lead. Hyman singled to short and Paradowski walked. Neely reached first on a fielder's choice, and Hyman scored and Paradowski advanced to third on a throwing error by the third baseman. Conor Clancey scored Paradowski with a double to left, advancing Neely to third. Brenk then smacked a three-run homer to left-center field to give the Terriers the lead for good.
Wofford starting pitcher Jordan Accetta went three innings and allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Chris Sheehan pitched an inning giving up one run on two hits. Jesse Morris (5-1) pitched three innings and earned his team-leading fifth win of the season. He gave up one run on two hits and struck out two batters. Will Stillman pitched the eighth, giving up one hit and striking out one. Eric Eck pitched in the final inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Presbyterian starter Billy Motroni pitched five innings and allowed five runs, but only four were earned. He gave up three hits and had one strikeout. Brian Kehner (0-4) took the loss as he pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, but none were earned. He also walked one and struck out another. Trey Hayes was the final pitcher, as he pitched 1 1/3 innings and recorded one strikeout.
The Terriers begin Southern Conference play with a three-game series at Davidson College, starting Friday at 6 p.m. The series begins an eight-game road swing before Wofford returns home on Friday, April 4, to take on the Catamounts of Western Carolina for a three-game series at Russell C. King Field.
UNCG 16, Maryland Eastern Shore 5
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG tallied season highs in runs (16) and hits (19) Wednesday, rolling past Maryland Eastern Shore 16-5 inside the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
The Spartans evened their record at 10-10, while the Hawks dipped to 3-12.
The 16 runs for UNCG were the most in a single game since the Spartans defeated North Carolina Central 17-8 April 1, 2013, at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The 19 hits were also the most since a 21-hit outburst in a 16-4 rout of Southern Conference foe Furman on May 10, 2013, in Greenville, S.C.
Senior infielder Sean Guite was 4-for-5 at the dish with four runs scored and two RBIs, raising his Southern Conference-best batting average to .440. Redshirt junior outfielder Zac MacAneney and redshirt freshman infielder Julian Abreu chipped in with three hits each, with MacAneney scoring four runs and registering three RBIs. Additionally, junior infielder Jordan McDonald extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a 2-for-5 performance.
Preseason All-SoCon honoree and junior outfielder Eric Kalbfleisch made his season debut in the game and smashed a two-run double in his final at-bat of the evening. Kalbfleisch led the Spartans and was second in the league last year in doubles with 21.
Earning his first collegiate victory was freshman LHP Andrew George (1-3), as he threw five innings and allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Chipper Smith (0-3) took the loss for UMES, lasting just 2 1/3 innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with three walks and a strikeout.
The Hawks struck first in the contest, touching up George for three runs on three hits in the top of the second inning. A two-run triple by Stephen Bull was the big blow in the frame.
UNCG stormed back in the bottom of the third as MacAneney and Guite led off with consecutive singles. Kalbfleisch followed with a fly ball out to center that advanced MacAneney to third before junior infielder Hunter King ripped a two-run double down the left-field line to make the score 3-2. Junior outfielder L.J. Kalawaia kept things moving with an RBI single up the middle that scored King. McDonald doubled to right field to plate Kalawaia, who stole second during the at-bat, and McDonald would score on a passed ball to complete the inning’s scoring, leaving the Spartans with a 5-3 cushion.
UMES scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth to pull within 5-4, but Guite led off the bottom of the stanza with a double and advanced to third on a groundout by King before scoring on a wild pitch.
Abreu began the bottom of the fifth inning with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by freshman catcher Jake Kusz. After junior outfielder Nick Chapman flew out to shallow left field, MacAneney reached on a throwing error, which plated Abreu, and stole second before advancing to third on another throwing miscue. That brought up Guite, and he crushed a ball over the wall in left-center for his first home run of the campaign, scoring MacAneney and making the score 9-4 after five complete.
The teams traded runs in the seventh and eighth innings before UNCG exploded for six runs on six hits, including MacAneney’s first home run of the season, in the bottom of the eighth to account for the final 16-5 margin.
The Blue and Gold opens SoCon play this weekend, hosting Furman for a three-game set at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The Spartans and Paladins will open the series Friday with a 6 p.m. contest.
No. 13 Clemson 5, Georgia Southern 4
STATESBORO, Ga. – Tyler Slaton hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning as the 13th-ranked Clemson Tigers rallied to split a two-game midweek series with the Georgia Southern Eagles with a 5-4 victory on Wednesday.
Georgia Southern (17-5) led 4-3 after Ben Morgan drew a bases-loaded walk, and Aaron Palmer's fielder's choice drove in two runs in the third inning. The Eagles struck first in the contest, Stryker Brown scoring in the first inning on a Chase Griffin double.
The game featured four lead changes in the first four innings. Clemson (13-7) took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second after Brown dropped a fly ball in the outfield. Brown drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half of the frame to tie the contest at 2-2.
Drew Moyer came on in relief of Tiger starter Brody Koerner and tossed four scoreless frames to earn his first win of the season. Moyer (1-0) allowed two hits and walked two batters while striking out three.
The Clemson bullpen combined to allow just two Eagle hits over the final 6 2/3 innings. Matt Campbell walked the leadoff batter in the ninth inning but struck out Hunter Thomas to retire the side and earn his fourth save of the season.
Eric Alonzo allowed three runs over 4 1/3 innings and struck out four batters. Alonzo (2-2) suffered the loss after Mike Triller dropped a one-out single down the line in right field before Slaton's homer.
Caleb Pressey made his first start of the season for the Eagles and allowed two unearned runs on a pair of walks and two hits. Pressey struck out one batter over two innings.
GSU remains at home this weekend and hosts future Sun Belt and current SoCon member Appalachian State in a three-game set.
North Carolina Central 3, Furman 2 (10 innings)
GREENVILLE, S.C. – North Carolina Central pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning to take a 3-2 lead and closed out Furman in its last at-bat to take the win in Wednesday afternoon baseball action at Latham Stadium.
The Eagles (8-12-1) trailed 2-0 after eight innings but put the first two batters on in the ninth against Paladin reliever Greg Harrison. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Harrison struck out Bryant Battle for the second out and then got James Dey to hit a fly ball to left center field. Paladin center fielder Heath Burton, however, dropped the ball for an error, allowing both runs to score and tie the game at 2-2.
In the 10th, North Carolina Central got a one-out single off Paladin reliever Anthony Buonopane and then used a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt to put the runner at third with one out. Following a walk to Carlos Ortiz, Tyson Simpson beat out a potential inning-ending double play with a slide into first base, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
In Furman’s last turn at the plate, Cameron Whitehead stroked a one-out single but was stranded when Kyle Shields fanned Alex Abrams for the game’s final out.
Furman’s ninth-inning trouble nullified solid pitching performances by Paladin starter Tyler Wood and relievers Ryan Morse and Jacques de Gruy.
Wood allowed only two hits and struck out four in four innings of work. Morse tossed two innings of shutout ball, and de Gruy struck out three in two scoreless frames, helping the Paladins take the 2-0 advantage into the ninth.
Furman grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Carter Grote’s first collegiate hit, a solo home run off Eagles starter Dyland Beiland that cleared the left-field fence.
An inning later, Sky Overton executed a bunt single to lead off and later scored on a Harrison sacrifice fly to give the Paladins a 2-0 lead.
The victory went to Shields (1-0), who tossed three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.
Buonopane (0-1) took the loss.
Overton’s 3-for-3 performance at the plate led an eight-hit attack for Furman (8-13), which opens Southern Conference play this weekend on the road at UNCG.
Williamson and Kory Wood had two hits apiece for North Carolina Central.
East Tennessee State 12, Western Carolina 9
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – East Tennessee State used a pair of four-run innings and capitalized on six Catamount errors as the Buccaneers handed Western Carolina a 12-9 home loss on Wednesday evening in midweek nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
WCU’s loss halts the nation’s longest home winning streak at 21 straight games, a school record for consecutive home victories at the on-campus facility. It was the first home defeat for the Catamounts since a 12-9 loss to then-No. 17 Clemson back on April 9, 2013.
Despite trailing by seven runs through the game’s midpoint, Western Carolina (11-8) was able to rally back to within a run, 9-8, on the strength of a six-run bottom of the sixth inning. The Catamount surge was keyed by five hits, including a two-RBI double by Danny Bermudez and a three-run home run by Aaron Attaway.
However, as was the case most of the night, the Catamounts were unable to find the shutdown inning to ride the wave of momentum to the lead. ETSU pushed across two runs in the top of the seventh on the heels of the six-run frame to stretch the margin back to three, 11-8. WCU scratched the scoreboard again in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by J.D. Long down the right-field line, only to see the Bucs match the marker in the top of the eighth to reclaim a three-run margin.
Down to its final three outs, the Catamounts threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning. Luke Gragg and Cody Jones drew walks around a fly ball out to bring the game-tying run to the plate. However, a strikeout and groundout back to the mound ended the Catamount threat and the game.
Spiess and Jones led the Catamounts with three hits and an RBI apiece in the loss. Spiess (3-for-5) finished a triple shy of the cycle with a single, double and homer, while Jones (3-for-4) tallied three singles and a walk. Red-hot hitting Adam Martin finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Bermudez and Long both added doubles for WCU.
Spiess gave the Catamounts a short-lived, 1-0 lead in the home half of the second inning as he belted his third home run of the season. The solo shot carried the wall in right-center as the home squad climbed on top first.
ETSU responded with its back-to-back four-run innings. Between the visitors’ third and fourth innings, the Buccaneers scored eight runs on six hits and took advantage of three Catamount errors.
The Buccaneers had four players record multi-hit games, including a 4-for-6 outing with a two-run home run, driving in four runs on the day. Catcher Matt Sorrow finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs, while Tyler Roach homered in a 2-for-4 performance. Jeremy Taylor also collected two hits, driving in a pair of runs in the seventh inning on a triple to right field.
Catamount starter Alex Barr (0-1) looked strong through the first two frames, retiring the Buccaneers in order in both the first and second with a strikeout. However, things unraveled for the southpaw in the third as he surrendered two solo home runs and a walk and a was victimized by a throwing error as a part of a four-run frame that gave ETSU the lead it would never relinquish. Barr officially tossed 2 1/3 innings with the one strikeout against two walks, allowing four runs – three of which were earned – on three hits.
Jamin McCann (2-1) got the victory for ETSU, tossing two innings in a predetermined start. He scattered two hits, allowing just the one run on the Spiess homer. McCann was one of seven Bucs pitchers. Freeman, who started the game at first base, tossed the final two innings to collected his third save of the year, striking out three against the two ninth-inning walks.
Western Carolina opens a four-game road swing this weekend as it begins Southern Conference play by visiting Elon (13-7, 2-1 SoCon). The three-game series against the Phoenix opens on Friday with a 6 p.m. first pitch, followed by a 4 p.m. Saturday start and 1:30 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
Elon vs. NC State canceled
ELON, N.C. – Wednesday's Elon baseball game at 10th-ranked NC State in Raleigh, N.C., has been canceled due to poor field conditions. No makeup date has been announced.
Elon will be back in action this weekend as the Phoenix hosts preseason SoCon favorite Western Carolina in a three-game set. Game times are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.