Richardson went 7.1 innings in his first game after joining PC from Richardson Community College.  He allowed three early runs but settled down, scattering three hits.  He was rather tidy, striking out six while walking just one ASU batter.

 "I'm really proud of Steven Richardson's outing today, he pitched very well for us in his first Division I outing," said head coach Elton Pollock.  "Nat Chong had some great at bats for us today.  We definitely have some things to build on from this game, but we'll pick up the pieces and get back after it tomorrow against Upstate."

The Mountaineers scored two runs in the first inning and added a third in the third frame off a towering home run by Wes Hobson.

The Blue Hose earned their first hit of the season when freshman leadoff hitter Nate Chong legged out a triple to right field with two outs in the third inning.  However, a groundout on the ensuing at bat ended the Blue Hose threat.

Reliever Chris Powell looked to have worked out of a jam in the top of the eighth when a ground ball to shortstop Gabe Grammer was thrown into the dirt at first.  The errant throw allowed two and opened the door to a three-run inning to put ASU up 6-0.

Mack Hite singled to open the ninth only to be followed by a walk to cleanup hitter Kenny Bryant.  It was senior Nate Horton that plated Hite to put PC on the scoreboard and cut the Mountaineer advantage to 6-1.  A strikeout followed by a foul-out ended the game with runners stranded at first and second.

Richardson was saddled with the loss while Appalachian's Matt Andress was credited with the victory on the mound. 

The Blue Hose will return to Spartanburg for a 5 p.m. game against USC Upstate at Harley Baseball Park.