Winthrop 8, Davidson 4
ROCK HILL, S.C. – A three-run fifth inning led Winthrop to an 8-4 victory over Davidson in nonconference baseball action Tuesday night at Winthrop Ballpark.
The game was tied 2-2 entering the fifth, but Winthrop (22-26) scored three runs on two hits and two errors. Second baseman Leighton Daniels (0-for-3) drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly, while designated hitter Cody Dolan (1-for-4) and right fielder John Menken (1-for-3) both hit RBI singles for a 5-2 lead. Only the first run was earned.
Davidson (25-13) out-hit Winthrop, 10-7, but stranded nine runners to the Eagles’ four and allowed three unearned runs.
Four Wildcats had 2-for-4 games, led by first baseman David Daniels and designated hitter Ryan Lowe with an RBI each. Center fielder Forrest Brandt and left fielder Lee Miller each went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Brandt also stole three bases.
Center fielder TJ Olesczuk paced the Eagles, going 2-for-4, and was one of six to drive in at least one run. RHP Travis Shelley (3-1) earned the win in relief, striking out four and allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.
Another unearned run gave the Eagles a four-run advantage in the seventh, but Davidson loaded the bases in the eighth with no outs. Shortstop Sam Foy (0-for-3) drove in a run with a walk, and first baseman Ben Arkin (0-for-3) did the same with a sacrifice fly. However, RHP Jason Driver was able to strike out the next two Wildcats to end the threat, and pinch-hitter Chad Smith was able to restore Winthrop’s four-run advantage in the bottom half with a two-run home run over the left-field fence.
The Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as third baseman Brad Kaczka (1-for-3) drove in two with a two-out double. Davidson tied it in the third inning on an RBI single by Daniels and a sacrifice fly by Lowe.
RHP Westin Whitmire (0-2) allowed two runs (one earned) in an inning-plus of work.
Davidson will conclude its eight-game road stretch with a three-game Southern Conference series at Elon, starting Friday at 7 p.m.
Appalachian State vs. Wake Forest postponed
BOONE, N.C. – Tuesday's baseball game between Appalachian State and Wake Forest has been postponed due to heavy rain in the High Country. No makeup date has been scheduled at this time.
Appalachian State is scheduled to play its next seven games on the road, beginning this weekend with a pivotal Southern Conference series versus longtime rival Western Carolina. Game times are set for 5 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday in Cullowhee, N.C.
Elon vs. Coastal Carolina canceled
ELON, N.C. – Due to the threat of thunderstorms on Tuesday, Elon has canceled its baseball game with Coastal Carolina that was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Latham Park. The game will not be rescheduled.
The Phoenix will be back in action this weekend as Elon hosts the Southern Conference-leading Davidson Wildcats for a three-game series. The set begins with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on Friday. Prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. first pitch, Elon will honor five seniors – Jacob Baker, Grant Fisher, Sebastian Gomez, Sam Paone and Ryan Pennell.
Samford vs. Alabama moved to Wednesday
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball team’s home game with Alabama, originally scheduled for Tuesday night, has been moved to Wednesday at 6 p.m. due to expected inclement weather in the Birmingham area. The game will be played at Joe Lee Griffin Field on the Samford campus.
Samford enters Wednesday’s game with a record of 26-18 overall and 10-8 in the Southern Conference after dropping two of three games to Western Carolina over the weekend. Alabama is currently 29-15 overall and 13-8 in Southeastern Conference play. The eighth-ranked Crimson Tide dropped two of three at South Carolina over the weekend.