Box Score PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Barton baseball team (9-11) fell to UNC Pembroke (14-5) on the road Wednesday afternoon by a 20-6 score at Sammy Cox Field.
The Braves hit five home runs total on the day and used a seven-run second inning highlighted by a grand slam from Alex Simpson (Holly Springs, N.C.) to break the contest open early. Simpson finished with six runs batted in while Trevor Clemons (Randleman, N.C.) added a home run, four hits, four runs scored and three runs batted in as the Braves pushed their winning streak to seven games.
Barton was led by senior outfielder Noah Almond (Raleigh, N.C.) with two hits and two runs batted in as the Bulldogs did lead by a 4-2 advantage entering the bottom of the second inning before UNC Pembroke took over. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Robinson (Beaver Falls, Pa.) added three hits and a run scored for the Bulldogs as well.
The Braves' J.J. Oxendine (St. Pauls, N.C.) (1-0) earned the win in relief while senior Nate McKenrick (Lake City, Pa.) fell to 1-1 after suffering the loss. Barton did commit three errors which led to eight unearned runs.
Barton returns home to take on No. 7 Mount Olive in a Conference Carolinas contest Friday at 2:30 p.m., while UNC Pembroke takes on Young Harris on the road Friday beginning at 7:00 p.m.
