WILSON, N.C.-Junior Ryan Daughtry led Barton with two hits, one run and one RBI in a 22-5 loss to No. 7 nationally ranked University of North Carolina at Pembroke on Tuesday afternoon at Nixon Field.
Senior Keith Whitman (Elkin, N.C.) hit a pair of home runs, drove in four runs and scored three times to lead the Braves, who moved 20 games over .500 at 24-4. UNCP is ranked in the top 10 of all three national polls including No. 7 by the ABCA.
The Bulldogs dipped to 12-16 overall after having a five-game win streak snapped. Barton will next visit No. 16 Francis Marion University (Florence, S.C.) on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Daughtry was the catalyst to an upset-minded Barton team that jumped out to an early two-run advantage. The right fielder from Princeton, N.C., led off the bottom of the first with a single and stolen base before scoring on a double by freshman Collins Cuthrell (Rocky Mount, N.C.). In the second inning, Daughtry drove in the Bulldogs second run with a single.
A three-run homer by Whitman in the top of the third off BC senior starter Patrick Sherrill (Cornelius, N.C.) put the Braves ahead for good. Sherrill (0-1) suffered the loss without giving up an earned run in 2 2/3 innings of work due to one of the Bulldogs three errors.
UNCP assaulted Barton's relievers for 19 runs including a game-changing 11 run outburst in the fifth. The first eight Braves reached base safely in the frame that featured a solo home run by Whitman and a three-run blast by senior Kenny Mickens (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Sophomore Chase Grissom (Apex, N.C.) hit the Braves fourth home run, a three-run shot in the eighth. Junior Eitan Maoz (Ottawa, Canada) added three RBI for the visitors. Whitman and senior Joe Mangum (Charlotte, N.C.) led UNCP's 17-hit slugfest with three hits apiece.
Barton sent a total of seven arms to the mound with only junior Chris Rawlings (Charlotte, N.C.) not allowing a run. Offensively, Rawlings scored once and drove in another run on a fielder's choice.
Senior Jordan Smith (Longmont, Colo.) led off the sixth with a single to extend his team-best hit streak to nine games. Smith later scored on a single by classmate Matt Willis (Wilmington, N.C.).
Freshman Brandon Huffman (Hope Mills, N.C.) retired all 10 batters he faced to earn his first collegiate win in relief of rookie starter Thomas Allen (Rockwell, N.C.). Huffman (1-0) had a game-high three strikeouts.
UNCP is a perfect 17-0 in non-conference games.
