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| Third game upset still leads to UNCG
defeat over ASU, 2-1 |
Brad
Norman
Sports Beat |
GAME
ONE
In the first of a three-game series, the University of North Carolina
at Greensboro wasted little time in showing why they are one of
the top teams in the conference.
In fact, they did not even waste an inning, scoring early and often
and sending the Mountaineers to a 14-7 defeat.
Allen Thomas started the game off with a walk and was quickly driven
in by a Justin Saltamacchia homerun, making it 2-0 for Greensboro
only three batters into the game.
Eric Pittman hit a two-run double in the top of the third to close
the Spartan gap to just two runs at 5-3. Pittman batted 3-for-5
for the day.
Not wanting to let Appalachian get any closer, the Spartans scored
four runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to close
the door on any chance of a Mountaineer comeback.
Appalachian managed four more runs in the top of the sixth but could
not find a way to contain the Spartan attack.
Starting pitcher Nick Peterson was rung up for nine runs (only five
of them earned) on 10 hits in a little over four innings of work.
After the Appalachian run in the sixth inning, Spartan reliever
Jarrett Santos pitched two and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving
up only one hit in the process.
Joining Appalachian’s Pittman with a multi-hit game were Joey
Robinson, Justin Thomas and Graham Thompson, each with two.
GAME TWO
As hot as Greensboro’s bats were against
Appalachian on Friday, they were even hotter during game two on
Saturday night at UNCG Baseball Park, bringing in a 17-8 win.
Greensboro scored five runs in the first three innings, an effort
that was mirrored by Appalachian.
Robinson hit a double in the third inning and scored on Thompson’s
two-run homerun.
Tim Johnson later hit a triple, scoring Pittman, who reached on
an error the play before, and Greensboro starter Scooter Michael
was immediately pulled and replaced by Mike McClain.
Johnson scored on Derek Smith’s double, a hit that would be
Appalachian’s last until the seventh inning.
Greensboro also scored four runs in the bottom of the third to knot
the score at 5-5.
As explosive as the first two innings were, the pitching decided
the outcome of the game.
McClain gave up no earned runs in five innings of relief to claim
the victory.
Appalachian starter Joe Norton was credited with the loss after
allowing nine runs in four innings.
Appalachian’s bullpen of Jonathan Reeder,
Monty Fast, Steve Martin and Dusty Blake combined to pitch the final
four innings, surrendering a combined seven hits and eight runs
in defeat.
GAME THREE
UNC Greensboro had beaten Appalachian all weekend, but on Sunday,
they beat themselves.
Greensboro stranded an astonishing 13 runners on base throughout
the game, leaving at least one runner stranded on base for the first
seven innings. Appalachian pulled out a 4-3 win.
Scott Clark won the decision for Appalachian and was able to work
the count and get the team out of several jams.
In the first inning, which was a microcosm of the entire game, Greensboro
loaded the bases with no outs, but only managed to score one run
and left runners stranded.
Robinson secured Appalachian’s first RBI in the third inning,
grounding out but scoring Ty Racette on the play.
The score was tied 1-1 entering the sixth inning before Appalachian
would score again.
Reliever Jarrett Santos came in and immediately walked Pittman and
Smith, who joined Thompson on base to give batter Tim Johnson a
base-loaded situation.
Johnson hit an RBI single to score Thompson, and Clint Johns smashed
a double into left-centerfield to drive in two runs and put Appalachian
on top 4-1.
Clark pitched deep into the ninth inning but gave up a single and
a walk with two outs.
Clark gave up another single that scored a run, and then walked
the next batter to load the bases.
Taylor Craig came in for relief and immediately walked batter Kirk
Strebin to make the score 4-3.
Craig then struck out David Adams to preserve the game and pick
up the save.
Appalachian returns to Boone May 3 when they host Virginia Military
Institute. Opening pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. |
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