Box Score by Cory Guinn
TIGERVILLE, S.C. – After a week away from competition, the Barton College baseball team suffered a 9-6 defeat to the Crusaders of North Greenville University in the first game of a three-game series at Ashmore Field.
North Greenville (10-10, 5-2) got on the scoreboard first with a three-run second inning for the early 3-0 lead. However, the Bulldogs (8-7, 2-4) responded in the top of the third with four runs on just one hit, taking advantage of a Crusader fielding error and a walk.
Sophomore Tyler Garrett began the inning with a lead-off single and advanced to second on an error by the North Greenville third baseman. Following a Calvin Hawke walk and a sacrifice to third, sophomore Andrew Webster drove in both runners with an RBI-single to put the Bulldogs on the board.
Senior Avery Harper used an RBI-double to tie the game at 3-3 before Jacob Willis gave Barton a 4-3 lead with an RBI-single of his own.
The Crusaders quickly responded, adding two more runs to their total for a 5-4 lead after an RBI-double from Taylor McCuen and a sacrifice fly from Foley George in the bottom of the third inning.
North Greenville's lead was extended to a 9-4 advantage in the sixth after scoring four runs on four hits and one Barton defensive error.
The Bulldogs continued to battle, breaking through with two runs in the top of the eighth. After loading the bases with two outs on the board, Harper drove in the final two runs of the game by reaching on an error by the North Greenville shortstop.
Senior Adam Boghosian secured his third save of the season for North Greenvill with a perfect final inning of work.
Senior right-hander Zach Breen (2-1) was hit with his first loss of the season after allowing seven runs (four earned) no seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts in five innings on the mound.
Sophomore Kerry Walker came on for 2/3 of an inning relief, allowing two runs (no earned) on just one hit with a walk, while senior Mike Brienza allowing just two hits over the final 2.1 innings on the mound.
Harper finished the game 1-for-5 at the plate with a double and three RBI, while senior Mitchell Wheeler was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Willis was 2-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and Garrett finished the day 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored from the leadoff spot.
Barton and North Greenville will conclude the weekend series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon in Tigerville.
