Box Score by Cory Guinn
GAFFNEY, S.C. – Despite battling back from a four-run deficit late in the game, the Barton College baseball team fell 6-5 to Limestone College on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning at Founders FCU Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Senior right-hander Zach Breen received a no decision after pitching eight innings in his eighth start of the season. Breen allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts in the game.
Barton sophomore Tyler Garrett opened the game with a lead-off double to left-centerfield, his fifth of the season as the Bulldogs left him stranded at second base.
Limestone (8-21, 4-12) opened the flood gates in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on four hits and taking advantage of a Barton fielding error.
The first batter of the game for Limestone reached on an error, followed by back-to-back singles for a 1-0 Saints lead. Limestone added another run with a one-out RBI single as the final two runs of the inning score on an RBI double down the right field line for a 4-0 lead after one inning of play.
The Bulldogs (13-16, 7-8) got one run back in the top of the fourth when senior Avery Harper doubled down the left field line, advancing to third on a groundout. Harper would then score on a ground out by junior Nick McKinney to cut the lead to 4-1. However, Limestone used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to extend its lead to a four-run advantage once again.
Neither team scored in the fifth inning as Barton ended their half of the frame being caught trying to steal home. The Bulldogs did gain momentum in the sixth, scoring twice on just one hit.
Senior Spiers Miller led off the sixth inning being hit by a pitch before Harper singled to left to put two runners on. After a pop fly to the second baseman, McKinney walked to load the bases with one out on the scoreboard as sophomore Jacob Willis reached on a fielder's choice to score Miller from third.
Senior Mitchell Wheeler was hit by a pitch to load the bases once again before fellow senior JT Bunce drew a walk to drive in an run and make the score 5-3 in favor of Limestone.
In the eighth inning of play, McKinney reached on an error followed by a bunt single from Willis as both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Wheeler to puts two runners in scoring position. Bunce drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring McKinney and bringing Barton within one run. After stealing third, pinch runner Michael DelSardo, who came on for Willis, scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the final inning and a half of play.
Barton turned to the bullpen to start the ninth as junior left-hander Seth Breasseale made his ninth appearance of the season. The first Limestone batter flied out to center field before back-to-back singles put runners on the corners for Kyle Booth. Booth then sent an 0-1 pitch up the middle to drive in the game-winning run and give the Saints a 6-5 victory.
Breasseale (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season after giving up one run on three hits in 1/3 of an inning of relief.
Harper led the offense with a 2-for-5 performance with a double and two runs scored, while McKinney recorded an RBI and a run scored with two walks. Willis was 1-for-4 in the contest with an RBI of his own.
The Bulldogs and Saints will square off in a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon in Gaffney.
