WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore first baseman Phillip Williams (Gibson, N.C.) ended a four hour and 51 minute marathon with a game-winning single down the right field line as Barton College clipped No. 9 nationally ranked Kutztown University for the second straight day in extra innings.
The Golden Bears had three different chances to win the opener of Sunday's doubleheader that was scheduled for seven innings at Nixon Field with one run leads in the 7th and 11th innings and a two run advantage in the 8th but the Bulldogs scored the appropriate runs needed each time to keep play going until winning it in the 15th.
The second game of the twin bill was cancelled and will not be rescheduled due to the length of game one. Barton (2-2) wins the series against Kutztown (1-2) and will next play a three-game series at No. 8 Southern Florida College next Friday and Saturday.
The showdown featured nine hurlers tossing a total of 515 pitches. Barton sophomore Christian Oliver (Gordonsville, Va.) kept the vaunted Kutztown offense off the board for the final four innings to earn his first collegiate win. Oliver scattered three hits and had two strikeouts. Senior Hunter Meekins (Manteo, N.C.) got the start and went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while fanning four.
The Bulldogs connected for 14 hits including three apiece by the junior duo of shortstop Chris Rawlings (Charlotte, N.C.) and right fielder Ryan Daughtry (Princeton, N.C.). Barton ripped six extra base hits including a pair of doubles by both Rawlings and senior center fielder Jordan Smith (Longmont, Colo.). Williams added a big triple in the eighth to go along with his game-winning base knock.
Daughtry, sophomore Zac Crumpler (Wilson, N.C.) and freshman John Hunter (Hertford, N.C.) all drove in two runs for the hosts. Smith rounded the bases twice and has scored a team-high six times through four games.
Kutztown built a 4-0 lead before Barton pulled to within one with two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth. The Bulldogs extended play in the bottom of the seventh on a run-producing double play groundout by senior Aaron Watkins (Newport News, Va.).
The Golden Bears regained a two-run advantage in the eighth but Barton once again answered in the home half on RBIs by Crumpler and Hunter. Kutztown claimed its last lead with a lone run in the 11th but an RBI-single by Daughtry neutralized the score.
Daughtry finished the contest 3-for-4 with three singles, two walks, a sacrifice fly, and a sac bunt.
Kutztown left a total of 21 players on base and Barton stranded 15.
Senior leadoff batter Corey Buletza (St. Clair, Pa.) sparked the Golden Bears with a game-high five hits and three RBI.
