Box Score by Cory Guinn
PEMBROKE, N.C. – After allowing seven runs in the first inning, the Barton baseball team scored at least one run in eight of nine innings leading to a 12-9 comeback victory over UNC Pembroke on Wednesday night at Sammy Cox Field.
Barton (27-14) defeated Pembroke 10-9 earlier this season at Nixon Field, securing a season sweep over the Peach Belt Conference school for the first time since the 2008 season.
After BC scored a run in the first inning on an RBI single from junior Andrew Webster, the Braves responded with seven runs on six hits in the bottom half. Barton starting pitcher Jordan Ramos recorded just one out before being chased from the game.
The Bulldogs turned to junior reliever Justin Evans for the next 3 2/3 innings as the left-hander held Pembroke to just two runs on five hits.
Barton's comeback began in the second inning with a two-RBI double from junior Calvin Hawke before redshirt-junior Chris Davis hit a solo home run, his second long ball of the season, in the third inning. Pembroke led 8-4 after three innings of play.
The Bulldogs scored one run each in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, including two more RBI singles from Webster and two solo home runs by freshman Gatlin Pate to tie the game at 8-all.
In the top of the eighth, sophomore Hunter Pearre scored from third on a wild pitch to give Barton a one-run lead. Pate forced a bases loaded walk, followed by a Blake Spangenberg RBI single and a sacrifice fly from senior Ben Youngblood to put BC ahead 12-9.
UNC Pembroke brought a run across in the bottom of the ninth inning but could not overcome the Bulldog lead.
Freshman left-hander Blake Helms (2-0) picked up the win after allowing one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts in five innings of relief.
Hawke finished the game 4-for-6 with three doubles, two runs scored and two RBI, as Webster was also 4-for-6 at the plate with three RBI. Pate was 2-for-4 with two home runs, his first of the season, and three RBI, while Spangenberg was 3-for-5 with an RBI of his own.
Barton hosts Conference Carolinas foe North Greenville University in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 16 at Nixon Field. Game one is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start time in Wilson.
