Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Shippensburg University scored the game's only run in top of the eighth inning and wiggled out of a two-on, no-out threat by Barton College in the bottom of the ninth for a 1-0 NCAA Division II baseball victory at historic Fleming Stadium on a sunny Friday afternoon.
Raider senior southpaw Nick Umberger edged Bulldog senior starter Bentley Massey in the one hour and 59 minute pitcher's duel. Umberger (2-0) had eight strikeouts, only walked one and allowed just two late hits over seven innings for the win. Massey went eight strong innings, fanning four and surrendering four bases on balls.
Shippensburg evened its overall record to 2-2 and Barton dropped to 3-5 with its third consecutive loss. The two teams will wrap up the three-game series at BC's Nixon Field on Saturday with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for Noon.
Freshman second baseman Jimmy Spanos was 3-for-4 and scored the winning run. Spanos blooped a single into centerfield as the second batter of the game before Massey held the Raiders without another hit until Spanos led off the sixth line drive single to right.
Spanos notched his third base knock in the eighth, with a hit just inside the right field foul line that he legged out into a double just before the throw reached second base by Barton sophomore right fielder Phillip Cotten. Spanos alertly advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on the same play as throw by the catcher sailed over the third baseman.
The Shippensburg run was initially unearned to Massey because of the throwing error but a single by junior Cody Kulp – the Raiders only other hit – moments later made the run earned.
Senior reliever Jimmy Miller retired the Bulldogs in order in the eighth inning and went out for the two-inning save in the ninth that proved to be difficult. Junior Clay Martin led off Barton's last chance with a single to left and advanced to second when classmate Zac Crumpler was hit by a pitch while attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt.
Miller regained composure and secured his first save with back-to-back ground balls to second base that led to 4-6-3 double play followed by a game-ending groundout.
Crumpler reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances after being hit by the ball twice, walking once and ripping a single in the left field gap in the sixth.
Martin extended his team-high hitting streak to six games and freshman Spiers Miller has hit safely in five consecutive games after ending a potential no-hit bid by Umberger with a well-placed, two-out bunt in the fifth inning that landed just short of the third base line dirt that immediately stopped in the infield grass.
Shippensburg had a runner in scoring position in four of the first six innings but timely pitching by Massey and several great defensive plays by the Bulldogs defense kept the game scoreless until late. Barton's web gems included a diving catch on a line drive by junior centerfielder Tyler Barrington and a beautiful pick and throw on a ball up the middle by freshman shortstop Michael DelSardo.
