BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. ? The Presbyterian College baseball
team once again fought hard but came up a little short against Gardner-Webb
Saturday afternoon, falling by a score of 7-4 in the Big South
Conference game.
The Blue Hose now stand at 2-7 on the season and 0-2 against conference
competition. The Bulldogs improve to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in league play.
PC was led by a few underclassmen. Rookie Gabe Grammer posted three hits in
four at bats while driving in one. Fellow first-year mate Kenny Bryant
continued his hot play, slamming a home run while driving in two. Sophomores
Nate Horton and Mack Hite each had two base knocks. Horton also drove in a run
for head coach Elton Pollock's team.
Trailing 2-0 after three
innings, Hite led off the fourth with a single to center before promptly
stealing second. Senior Cory Lyda, who saw his seven-game hitting streak
snapped, then earned a walk, putting two on for Bryant, who reached on a
fielder's choice.
Grammer came up and sliced a single through the left side, scoring Lyda.
Horton's single drove in Bryant, knotting the score at two apiece.
GWU retook the lead in the bottom half of the frame thanks in large part to
O.J. McFarland's three-run homer. The Bulldogs would tack on another run in the
frame to go up 6-2.
GWU added a run in the fifth inning, giving the home team a five-run advantage.
However, Pollock's team had the never quit mentality and attempted to pull even
with the Bulldogs. In the sixth inning, Hite once again led off the stanza by
getting a base hit. After Lyda worked the count to 2-2, he was unable to get on
base for the Blue Hose. With one away, Bryant came to the plate and drilled a
home run over the right field fence, pulling PC within three at 7-4.
Grammer tried to keep things going as he singled to the shortstop on 1-0 count.
After Horton launched a ball into right field that was caught by the right
fielder, Grammer stole second, putting him in scoring position. Jared Combs
came to bat and hit a hard ball into the gap, but it was scooped up by the
shortstop, which made the play and ended the inning.
The Blue Hose tried to put a rally together in the seventh as Zac Rhinesmith
beat out an infield single. After moving to second on a Drew Wingo groundout,
Rhinesmith went to third on Harmon's single to left field.
Harmon stole second, putting two runners in scoring position and bringing the
tying run to the plate. However, the Bulldogs forced a pop up and a groundout
to end the threat.
In the eighth, Grammer singled and scampered to second on a
wild pitch with one away. Horton drew a walk, but the inning was cut short as
PC grounded into a double play, ending the frame.
Joe Hammond took the loss for the Blue Hose while Jonathon
Ban picked up the win for the Bulldogs.
The teams will square off tomorrow in the series finale. First pitch is slated
for 1 p.m.
