WILSON, N.C. – The Barton baseball team (11-5, 6-1) outlasted Francis Marion (9-7, 2-5), 4-3, in 12 innings Saturday afternoon in a Conference Carolinas game at Nixon Field.
Barton sophomore outfielder
Carelle Gonzalez (Bridgeton, N.J.) came through with the walk-off, run-scoring single in the bottom of the 12th inning with two outs. Freshman catcher
James Holladay (Washington, D.C.) crossed the plate to end the game for the Bulldogs, who moved to the top of the league standings by percentage points.
Francis Marion's Leniel Gonzalez (Sumter, S.C.) tied the score at three with a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning which forced extra frames.
Gonzalez and junior outfielder
Ryan McIsaac (Millvale, N.J.) both finished with two hits and an RBI while senior
Michael Yuille (Boyds, Md.) (3-1) held the Patriots scoreless over the final two innings to earn the win for the Bulldogs. Barton's starter, senior
Alex Hart (Raleigh, N.C.), went 10 innings while striking out eight batters and not allowing a walk in a no-decision.
Francis Marion's Reece Kleinhelter (Jasper, Ind.) (1-1) was tagged with the loss in relief.
The two teams will wrap up the league weekend series on Sunday with a doubleheader at Nixon Field beginning at 11:00 a.m.
