ETSU 4, Butler 1
Butler 9, ETSU 3
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – ETSU senior Jimmy Nesselt says he loves pitching in front of the home crowd and it definitely showed on Saturday.
The Buccaneer right-hander allowed one run in eight innings and retired 22 of the final 24 hitters he faced to help guide ETSU to a 4-1 win over Butler in the first game of a doubleheader at Thomas Stadium. The Blue and Gold were unable to secure the sweep as the Bulldogs finished off the nightcap with a 9-3 victory, forcing a rubber match on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
Nesselt, who improved to 2-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.80 after three starts this season, is now 6-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his last six starts at Thomas Stadium. Coming off a career-high 10-strikeout performance in his last stint versus UNC Asheville, Nesselt registered nine more punch outs on Saturday and held Butler to four hits.
The Buccaneer hurler was rewarded with two runs in the fifth and seventh innings to help secure the win, while it was ETSU’s top of the order that fueled the offensive spark. Jeremy Taylor, Chris Cook and Trey York combined to go 6 for 10 with four doubles, three runs and four RBIs. The trio all finished with two hits each, while Cook and York drove in two runs apiece. York registered a pair of doubles and Taylor swiped two bases.
However, after silencing the Bulldogs in game one, Butler’s offense came alive in game two as they pounded out 12 hits – six for extra bases – and evened the series with the six-run victory.
Following the split, ETSU had its brief three-game win streak snapped and moved to 5-2 on the year.
GAME ONE RECAP
Jimmy Nesselt tossed eight innings of one-run ball, while the Bucs scored a pair of runs in the fifth and seventh innings as ETSU downed Butler, 4-1, in game one of its doubleheader.
Nesselt, who retired 22 of the final 24 hitters he faced, improved to 2-0 by allowing just one run on four hits in eight dominating innings. The senior right-hander struck out nine and walked none.
Jeremy Taylor, Chris Cook and Trey York provided the spark offensively as recorded six of ETSU’s nine hits. All three players finished with two hits each, while Cook and York drove in two runs. York registered a pair of doubles and Taylor stole two bases.
The Bucs, who squandered scoring opportunities in the first four innings, gave Nesselt all the offense he needed by plating a pair of two-out runs in the fifth and grabbed a 2-0 lead. Zach Thompson led off the inning with a single, and after moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor, Cook drove in the first run with a two-out single through the left side. From there, Cook stole second and hustled home on York’s double to left.
ETSU added insurance runs in the seventh as Taylor, Cook and York all recorded two-out doubles to make it a 4-0 score.
After surrendering a pair of two out singles to Butler in the first, Nesselt zoned in and retired 19 consecutive Bulldog hitters – eight via the punch out – until Tyler Houston led off the eighth inning with a home run to right. Nesselt wasn’t fazed by the long ball as he retired three of the next four Butler hitters he faced, and turned the ball over to Dillon Cate in the ninth for his first collegiate save. Cate hit the first batter he faced, but induced Ryan Wojciechowski to hit into a game-ending 5-4-3 double play.
Butler starter Jeff Schank took the loss (0-3) as he was tagged for two runs on six hits in six innings.
ETSU outhit the Bulldogs, 9-4, while five hits went for extra bases.
GAME TWO RECAP
Butler snapped a tie game by plating two runs in the sixth and added four more in the ninth as the Bulldogs evened the series with a 9-3 win over ETSU in the nightcap.
Six of Butler’s 12 hits went for doubles, while eight of its nine runs came with two outs.
Designated hitter Ryan Wojciechowski went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI, while Tyler Houston scored three runs and also posted a double. Starter Chris Myjak held ETSU to two runs in seven innings to help Butler (1-8) earn its first win of the season.
Junior Lee Haeberle suffered the loss (2-1) as he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings of work, while Kevin Phillips went 2 for 4 with a double, home run and scored two runs.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-out, two-run scoring single by Gehrig Parker in the second inning, but Phillips cut ETSU’s deficit in half as he belted his second home run of the year to leadoff the bottom half of the frame.
Phillips again did damage in the fourth as he led things off with a double and later scored the tying run on Robby McCabe’s RBI ground out to short.
Unfortunately, the Blue and Gold could never pull ahead, as Butler got a two-out RBI double by Mike Kseniak and an RBI single by Parker to regain a 4-2 lead in the sixth.
The Bulldogs added a run in the seventh on a double by Wojciechowski, and Butler capped off its scoring by registering four straight two-out doubles in the ninth to extend the lead to seven, 9-2.
ETSU scored its final run on an RBI single by McCabe in the ninth, but with two outs and the bases loaded, Josh Goldberg forced Daniel Tucker to hit into a game-ending grounder to short. Four of the Bucs’ 10 hits came in their final inning.
Jordan Sanford and Zach Thompson both finished with two-hit games, while McCabe drove in two of ETSU’s three runs.
Sunday’s rubber match is set for 1:05 p.m. as ETSU junior right-hander Griffin Krieg faces Butler lefty Nick Morton.
Harvard 2, Wofford 1
Harvard 3, Wofford 1
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader to Harvard on Saturday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Crimson won the first game, scoring single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to come back for the victory. In the second game, Harvard took a 2-0 lead after the second inning and allowed only four Wofford hits in the contest.
Wofford is 8-3 on the season, while Harvard is 2-1 overall. The Terriers could manage only ten combined hits on the day and left a total of 14 runners on base. The Crimson had eleven hits and stranded 15 runners in the two games. Wofford committed three errors in the first game and two in the second.
In the opening game, Harvard was retired in order in the top of the first and Wofford left one on base in the bottom of the first. The Crimson had one runner reach base in the top of the second, while the Terriers had singles from Matt Pelt and Conor Clancey in the bottom of the second.
The Crimson left a runner on third base in the top of the third inning. Demetrius Jennings led off the bottom of the third by reaching on an error and he then stole second base. After he advanced to third on a ground ball, he crossed the plate on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead. The Terriers added singles from Matt Ramsay and Mack Nathanson, but both were left on base.
Harvard had a pair of runners reach base in the top of the fourth on walks, but a strikeout ended the top half. Wofford led off the bottom of the fourth with a single by Kody Ruedisili, but the Terriers failed to score. The Crimson left a runner on base in the top of the fifth and Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the fifth.
With two out in the top of the sixth, Mitch Klug had the first hit of the day for the Crimson, but he was left on base. Matt Pelt was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, however he failed to advance. Steve Dill was hit by a pitch to start the seventh inning for Harvard. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and a single by Jake McGuiggan moved him to third base. A balk was called to score the tying run at 1-1 before a pair of strikeouts ended the top half.
Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the top of the eighth, Harvard led off with back-to-back singles and an error had the runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Mitch Klug plated a run for a 2-1 lead, but the Crimson left one runner on base. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Matt Ramsay doubled, but he was unable to advance.
The Crimson was retired in order in the top of the ninth inning. With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Carson Waln reached on a fielding error. A ground out ended the game for the Terriers.
Wofford pitcher Luke Leftwich threw 6.1 innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits with four strikeouts. Jacob Condra-Bogan (0-1) went 2.2 innings with one run allowed on two hits with two strikeouts.
Nick Gruener started for Harvard and went six innings with one run allowed on five hits. He struck out seven batters with only one walk. Kevin Rex (1-0) threw an inning and did not allow a hit with one strikeout. T.J. Laurisch allowed one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Tanner Anderson recorded his first save of the season by going the final 1.1 innings without allowing a hit.
In game two, the Crimson had a single and a double in the top of the first inning. A ground out by Ethan Ferreira drove in a run for a 1-0 lead. Harvard left runners on the corners to end the top half. Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the first.
The second inning started with a single for Harvard. Two more singles, along with an error by the Terriers, allowed a run to score for a 2-0 advantage. With two outs in the bottom of the second, Kody Ruedisili hit a single but was left on base. Harvard was retired in order in the top of the third inning, while Wofford stranded one runner in the bottom of the third.
Both teams were retired in order in the fourth inning. Harvard left one runner on base in the top of the fifth after a Wofford error. Kody Ruedisili led off the Wofford half of the fifth with a walk, but he was stranded at second at the end of the inning. With two outs in the top of the sixth, D.J. Link hit a double but a strikeout ended the scoring chance.
In the bottom of the sixth, James Plaisted hit a single with two outs. A strikeout ended the inning. The Crimson began the seventh inning with a double by Jack Colton. A single by Jake McGuiggan drove in the run for a 3-0 lead. A double play ended the inning with a runner on base.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Cody Miller’s first career hit was a triple to right field. Carson Waln came in as a pinch hitter and walked. Derek Hirsch was safe on a bunt down the third base line that scored Miller to make it 3-1. A walk to Alec Paradowski loaded the bases, but a strikeout ended the scoring chance. Harvard left one on base in the top of the eighth inning.
The Terriers were retired in order in the bottom of the eighth inning. Harvard went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, a pop fly, strikeout, and fly ball ended the game.
Wofford pitcher Spencer Kulman (2-1) went 6.1 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts. Jordan Accetta went the final 2.2 innings and did not allow a hit with one walk.
Matt Timoney (1-0) started for Harvard went five innings and allowed only one hit with six strikeouts. Sean O’Neill worked an inning with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Noah Zavolas gave up one run and one hit in two-thirds of an inning. T.J. Laurisch allowed one hit. Tanner Anderson picked up his second save of the day by going the last 2.1 innings without giving up a hit and striking out two.
Wofford concludes the series against Harvard on Sunday at noon at Russell C. King Field. On Wednesday, the Terriers will host Presbyterian College.
Notre Dame 8, Mercer 2
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team saw its five-game winning streak come to an end, as Notre Dame (9-1) used four home runs in the first three innings to record an 8-2 victory on Saturday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.
Mercer (6-5) was held to six hits in the contest, failing to reach double-figures for just the first time in its last six games. Freshman Trey Truitt went 2-for-3 at the dish to lead the team, while Danny Edgeworth and Nate Moorhouse provided the team’s only offense with solo shots.
The Bears dug themselves a three-run hole for the second-straight game, but were unable to rally back this time around. Notre Dame used a pair of two-out home runs for a 3-0 advantage in the first inning, before adding two more runs on solo blasts for a 5-0 advantage.
Mercer broke up Brandon Bielak’s shutout bid in the fourth, as Moorhouse went yard to put the Bears on the board. However, the Irish manufactured two more runs in the sixth to push their lead to six, 7-1.
Edgeworth cut the deficit to five, 7-2, with his first collegiate home run, a one-run blast to right field.
Notre Dame pushed another run across in ninth to round out the scoring, as Cavan Biggio drove in his third run of the game with a sacrifice fly.
Connor Herd was tagged with the loss, the first of his collegiate career. The freshman gave up three runs on three hits in two innings of work. The Bears got two scoreless innings from Eric Nyquist in his season debut as well as untainted efforts on the mound by Austin Lord and Carter Varga.
Mercer wraps up play this weekend on Sunday, as it hosts Belmont in the final game of the Mercer Baseball Classic. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Claude Smith Field.
Charlotte 2, UNCG 1
NC State 4, UNCG 2
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The UNCG baseball team lost a pair of nonconference games in Savannah, Ga. Saturday, falling 2-1 to Charlotte before dropping a 4-2 decision to NC State at Grayson Stadium. The Spartans dip to 2-6 overall while the 49ers evens their record at 3-3 and the Wolfpack improves to 5-3.
Charlotte 2, UNCG 1
A contest that saw just seven combined hits between UNCG and Charlotte went the 49ers way as they scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and held on for a 2-1 victory. The Spartans turned a pair of double plays in the game to keep the Charlotte offense at bay.
Senior outfielder Eric Kalbfleisch, freshman infielder Tripp Shelton and freshman designated hitter Devin Ruiz notched a hit apiece for the Blue and Gold while four 49ers recorded one hit each. Junior LHP Bryant Stafford (0-1) was tagged with the loss after throwing 1 2/3 innings and allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts. UNCG received a strong start from junior RHP Ryan Clark who gave up just one run on two hits with three strikeouts in six and a third innings of work. Trevor Gay recorded the win for Charlotte as he produced one and two-thirds scoreless and hitless innings.
The Spartans struck for the game’s first run in the top of the third. Junior infielder Collin Woody was hit by a pitch to lead off and took third base after a failed pickoff attempt with one out on the board. He would slide home safe when Shelton put a nice bunt down and reached on a fielder’s choice.
UNCG made the run stand until the bottom of the fifth. Brett Netzer clubbed a leadoff triple to center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Jarrett. That would leave the score at 1-1 after five complete.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth and Nick Daddio on first, the Spartans looked to keep the 49ers off the board and the game tied heading into the ninth inning. However, Daddio stole second to bring up Derek Gallello. He was then able to send a single through the middle that scored Daddio for the winning tally.
The Blue and Gold received a leadoff single from Ruiz to open the top of the ninth as senior Nick Chapman replaced him on the bases. Chapman was able to take second base with two outs on a wild pitch and Kalbfleisch drew a walk before Woody was hit by a pitch to load the bases. UNCG could not push the winning run across, however, as junior catcher Jake Hall grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.
NC State 4, UNCG 2
NC State took advantage of three UNCG errors in the second contest of the day to come away with a 4-2 win. The Spartans led through the first five innings of the game before the Wolfpack took the upper hand for good in the bottom of the sixth.
Senior RHP Brennen James (0-2) was outstanding in the loss as he tossed a career-high six and two-thirds innings and allowed just two earned runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked only one. Brian Brown (2-0) picked up the victory after he threw six innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
UNCG did not have a player with more than one hit while NSCU received a 2-for-4 performance from Logan Ratledge. Woody and sophomore catcher Jake Kusz notched a hit and a run scored each for the Spartans.
As in the first game of the day, the Blue and Gold scored first. In the top of the third, Woody led off with a single before Kusz drew a walk. After a Shelton strikeout, a failed pickoff attempt moved both runners into scoring position. Woody was able to score on a wild pitch while Kusz came home on an infield single by senior outfielder Tyler Long to make the score 2-0 heading into the bottom of the frame.
NC State broke through in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits and two Spartan errors. James had retired 12-straight batters before the one-out rally occurred. The go ahead and eventual winning run came with two outs on an error at second.
The Wolfpack scored another unearned run in the bottom of the seventh to account for the final score. Kusz roped a two-out double to right field in the top of the eighth, but a strikeout ended UNCG’s final threat as the Spartans went down in order in the top of the ninth.
The Blue and Gold closes the weekend Sunday morning with a rematch against NC State. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Alabama State 15, The Citadel 14
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Alabama State took advantage of three errors in the ninth to score a pair of tie-breaking runs and then held on in the bottom of the inning for a 15-14 victory over The Citadel to even the three-game series at Riley Park.
The Bulldogs (5-5) and Hornets (4-5) will meet in the deciding game of the series Sunday at noon.
The back-and-forth contest was tied at 13 heading into the ninth when the Bulldogs committed the final three of their seven errors to allow the Hornets to push across two runs without the benefit of a base hit.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Connor Walsh doubled to right center for his fifth hit and third RBI of the game, plating Austin Mapes to pull The Citadel within one. The rally fell short, however, when Armando Ruiz came in to retire Philip Watcher on a liner to left.
The last out was recorded four hours and 14 minutes after the first pitch, making it the longest nine-inning game in Bulldog history, eclipsing the previous mark of 3:53 set against Western Carolina on March 29, 2013.
The five hits for Walsh marked the first time a Bulldog accomplished that feat since Calvin Orth did so against Davidson on May 3, 2013. The Citadel finished with 18 hits in the contest, with Johnathan Stokes adding three and Jason Smith contributing two hits and three RBI.
Kevin Connell was tagged with the loss despite not allowing a hit in 1.2 innings of relief. Michael Estevez came on in the seventh and worked two innings, allowing one hit and strikeout out four to pick up the win. The save for Ruiz was his second of the year.
Neither team had much in the way of pitching early with a combined 23 runs scoring over the first 4 innings. The Bulldogs scored four in the second including a two-run single by Stokes and added six in the third to take a 10-6 lead, a frame highlighted by a William Kinney base hit that brought home two and a Smith triple that also chased across a pair of runs.
Alabama State continued to put the pressure on, scoring six times over the fourth and fifth innings to take a 12-11 lead, but the Bulldogs went in front in the seventh on consecutive RBI doubles by Stephen Windham and Walsh. The Hornets tied it in the eighth before scoring their decisive runs the following inning.
Miami (Ohio) 4, Furman 3
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Jacob Banks overcame a shaky start to toss 6 2/3 innings of effective ball to lift Miami of Ohio past Furman, 4-3, in Campbell Classic Saturday afternoon baseball action at Jim Perry Stadium.
The win improved Miami of Ohio to 2-6 on the season while Furman fell to 4-5. The Paladins play host Campbell on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Furman jumped on Banks and the RedHawks in the first inning, plating three runs on a Chris Ohmstede RBI single and a two-run Jordan Simpson home run -- his third clout of the season. That would do it for the Paladins, however, as Banks and a pair of relievers combined to toss shut out ball over the final eight frames, yielding only two hits.
Furman three-run first supported Paladin starter Ryan Morse, who yielded a run in the bottom of the frame when the RedHawks’ Steve Sada scored from third on a double steal.
It remained 3-1 until the fourth when the RedHawks used an RBI double by Ryan Elbe and Sada two-out, two-run single to take a 4-3 lead.
The advantage held behind Banks, who checked the Paladins on just two hits -- singles by Jake Jones in the second and Griffin Davis in the sixth. In the seventh Banks hit Ohmstede and Simpson and was replaced by Brian Thene, who retired Blake Chisolm on a grounder to get out of the inning.
The Paladins got a leadoff single by Brian Elmy in the eighth but could not score. In the ninth Ohmstede stroked a two-out single and advanced to second on a wild pitch but was stranded after Will Schierholz struck out Simpson to end the game and notch the save.
Banks (1-2) earned the win after yielding three runs on five hits and three walks. He fanned three.
Morse (0-3) took the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Sada and Matt Honchel had three hits apiece for Miami of Ohio, which finished with nine hits.
Ohmstede and Davis had two hits each to lead the Paladins’ seven-hit attack.
No. 13 Mississippi State 8, Samford 2
STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Samford baseball team fell at 13th-ranked Mississippi State by a score of 8-2 on the second day of the Diamond Classic Saturday afternoon at Dudy-Noble Field.
For Samford in the loss, Heath Quinn went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Jared Watson went 3-for-5, while Hunter Swilling turned in a 2-for-5 performance at the plate. Jared Brasher (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Samford, pitching two-thirds of an inning and surrendering five runs on one hit.
Mississippi State was led at the plate by Cody Walker, going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Cody Brown and Jake Vickerson added two hits apiece for Mississippi State. Lucas Laster (2-0) earned the win for the victorious Bulldogs, tossing 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on 11 hits.
Mississippi State got off to a fast start, plating five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Walker drove in two runs, while Wes Rea and Luke Reynolds drove in a run each in the inning. Jacob Robson also scored on a wild pitch as MSU built an early 5-0 lead.
MSU added two runs in the third inning to push its lead to 7-0. Walker and John Holland drove in the two runs for a seven-run Mississippi State lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Mississippi State plated another run to make the score 8-0. Vickerson tripled to lead off the inning. He later scored on a sacrifice fly by Robson for MSU’s eighth run of the contest.
Samford scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to cut the Mississippi State lead to 8-2. With one out in the inning, Watson singled. Swilling then doubled, moving Watson to third base. Quinn then doubled, driving in Watson and Swilling for Samford’s two runs.
With the loss, Samford falls to 3-6 on the young season. Mississippi State improves to 12-0 with the win.
The schedule for Sunday’s final day of the tournament has been altered due to expected inclement weather. Samford will play Arizona at 11 a.m., followed by a game against Mississippi State at 3 p.m.