Box Score by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – For the second time in as many days, the Barton College baseball team fell to nationally-ranked No. 23 UNC Pembroke. The Braves earned a 12-4 victory through eight innings in a game that was called early due to rain at Nixon Field.
Barton (17-25) used six total pitchers in the contest and committed four errors on defense leading to the eight-run defeat. The Braves were able to force 13 walks from the Bulldog pitching staff, leaving 14 runners on base.
UNCP (31-10) got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning before the Bulldogs pulled ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from sophomore Jacob Willis and an RBI single from fellow sophomore Andrew Webster.
Following a scoreless second inning, UNC Pembroke added seven runs over the next three innings, including a four-run fourth, to build an 8-2 lead over Barton. The Braves added four more runs to their total in the seventh and eighth innings combined for a 12-2 advantage.
The Bulldogs looked to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning as sophomore Blake Spangenberg was hit by a pitch to put a runner on first with two outs.
After sophomore Calvin Hawke walked, senior Spiers Miller drove in a run with an RBI single to left field. Fellow senior Mitchell Wheeler followed with an RBI single of his own to left field before the final batter of the game for Barton went down swinging.
Freshman right-hander Paschal Ammons got his first career start on the mound for Barton, allowing just one unearned run on three hits with a strikeout in two innings. Junior Seth Breasseale (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on one hit with three walks in an inning of relief.
Four other relievers combined to pitch the final five innings of the game as the Barton pitching staff threw 208 total pitches as seven of the 12 UNCP runs were earned.
Webster was 3-for-4 at the plate for Barton with an RBI, as Willis finished the game 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI of his own. Miller turned in a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI, a run score and two walks, while Wheeler drove in the Bulldog's fourth and final run of the game.
The Bulldogs will have a day off before beginning a three-game series with Conference Carolinas foe Pfeiffer University on Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m. at nearby Fleming Stadium.
