BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Barton baseball team (26-7, 9-7) opened a Conference Carolinas weekend series with an 11-3 victory over King (9-20, 4-10) Friday afternoon at Tornado Field.
Barton graduate student outfielder
Matthew Rivera (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) hit a two-run home run in the first inning and finished with four runs batted in as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-0 lead midway through the fourth frame on their way to the victory.
Barton freshman outfielder
Gavin Gilmore (Eastampton, N.J.) added a two-run double while senior
Connor Patterson (Randleman, N.C.) improved to 4-1 after earning the victory on the mound.
Barton senior
William Leonard (Roxboro, N.C.) allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings to go along with five strikeouts for his first save of the season.
For King, Chad Evans (Collegeville, Pal) hit a two-run home run but Royal Philo (Louisville, Tenn.) fell to 1-5 after taking the loss.
The two teams wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at Noon.
