Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 by Cory Guinn
TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Barton College baseball team concluded its weekend Conference Carolinas series with North Greenville University, winning game one over the Crusaders 6-2 and dropping the final game 5-4 at Ashmore Field.
Barton moved its record to 9-8 overall and 3-5 in Conference Carolinas' play as North Greenville now stands at 11-11 overall and 6-3 within the league.
Game One: Barton 6 North Greenville 2
The Crusaders scored first in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader as an RBI single from the bat of junior Drew Lipscomb gave North Greenville a one-run lead in the third inning.
Barton responded in the top half of the fourth with two runs of its own on three hits, highlight by a two-run home run from sophomore Jacob Willis over the left field fence for a 2-1 lead.
The game would become a pitcher's duel as Barton's Brandon Warren and North Greenville's Hunter Dilworth shut down all offensive production until the Crusaders tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly to right field.
In the top of the ninth inning, Barton's Nick McKinney hit a one-out double to left centerfield before being replaced by pinch runner Michael DelSardo at second.
Following back-to-back batters being hit by a pitch, senior Spiers Miller was inserted into the game as a pinch hitter and immediately delivered with a two-RBI double down the left field line to put the Bulldogs ahead 4-2. Sophomore Calvin Hawke followed with a two-RBI single of his own to give Barton a four-run edge after the top of the ninth.
Junior Seth Breasseale shut the door in the bottom of the ninth, needing just twelve pitches to get the final three outs of the game.
Warren (4-2), the reigning Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week, earned his second consecutive win after allowing just two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts over eight innings of work.
McKinney finished the game 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Willis was 1-for-3 at the plate with his third home run of the year, two RBI and two runs scored. Redshirt-senior Mitchell Wheeler was 2-for-4 with a double as Hawke was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Game Two: North Greenville 5 Barton 4 (Seven inn.)
The momentum carried over early in game two for the Bulldogs as sophomore Andrew Webster hit a solo home run, his second long ball of the season, over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
However, North Greenville took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second after Lipscomb used another sacrifice fly to drive in a run followed by an RBI-single to centerfield by Josh Black.
The Crusader lead would not last for long as the Bulldogs scored two runs of their own in the top of the third as Hawke scored from second on a throwing error by the North Greenville right fielder to tie the game. Sophomore Tyler Garrett would later score from third as Wheeler was caught in a rundown trying to steal second, allowing for the run to cross home plate.
North Greenville tied the game in the bottom of the frame on an RBI-single from junior Foley George and would later take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI-single from freshman Jae Roberts.
Willis continued his strong day at the plate for Barton, driving in his third RBI of the day with a single in the top of the sixth to tie the game a four runs apiece.
In the final inning of play, North Greenville put runners on first and second with one out before Roberts sent a single up the middle to bring home the game-winning run from second base.
Senior Kyle Rufer got the start on the mound for Barton and allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings of work before Breasseale appeared for the second time of the day, pitching 2/3 of an inning and allowing just one hit.
Senior right-hander Mike Brienza (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing one run on two hits with a strikeout in 1.1 innings on the mound.
Willis led the team with a 2-for-3 game, including a double and an RBI, while Webster was 1-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and an RBI. Garrett reached base safely three times, finishing 1-for-2 with a run scored, a walk and a stolen base.
Barton will return home for a three-game series with Kutztown University in Wilson, N.C. beginning on Tuesday, March 10. The Tuesday doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with the third and final game scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at 2 p.m. at Nixon Field.
