CLINTON, S.C.- Behind six strong innings from pitcher Eric Tatum, Presbyterian College defeated visiting Charlotte 5-2 at the PC Baseball Complex on Tuesday afternoon.
The victory marks the second of the season for PC (2-2). The loss is the first of the season for Charlotte (3-1).
Tatum (Buford, Ga.) led the way for PC by allowing one run on three hits in six innings on the mound. Additionally, he struck out four Charlotte batters, permitting just two walks in his first victory of the season. Reliever Zach Snipes (Belton, S.C.) picked up his first save by allowing one hit, one walk and striking out two batters in 2.1 innings.
The top of the batting order carried PC in scoring, which included Cory Lyda (Simpsonville, S.C.) who finished by hitting 2-for-4 with one RBI and a double. Teammate Kyle Craven (Savannah, Ga.) also had a 2-for-4 afternoon, recording one RBI.
Jesse Harmon (Newberry, S.C.) led the Blue Hose lineup with a 2-for-4, one RBI game that included a triple.
PC manufactured the first run of the game in the bottom half of the first inning with a double down the right field line by Lyda. After a wild pitch allowed Lyda to reach third, Craven followed with a single up the middle for the early 1-0 lead.
The Blue Hose added four runs in the second inning, providing the cushion for a lead they would not relinquish. Jared Combs (Pooler, Ga.) started the inning with a single into right field, scoring on the following at-bat with a double to left by Zac Rhinesmith (Acworth, Ga.).
Two batters later, Harmon scored Rhinesmith on a triple for the 3-0 lead.
Lyda then kept the PC runs coming with a single to right field. He then advanced to third on an error in the wet outfield, scoring Harmon on the play. The fourth and final run of the inning came across the plate on a ground out to short by Craven moving the lead to 5-0.
Charlotte scored one run in the top of the sixth coming on a single to right field by Chris Taylor, driving home Shayne Moody from second.
The 49ers scored again in the top of the seventh when O'Brien Taylor scored from third on an infield error by PC.
The Blue Hose next welcome Marist College to the PC Baseball Complex for a three game series beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29.
PC and Marist will also play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.
