CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College baseball scored
a pair runs in the eighth to cut Appalachian State's lead to two, but an
attempted ninth inning rally fell flat and the Mountaineers took the season
series over PC with an 8-6 win on Tuesday.
Joe Hammond
started his first game of the season for the Blue Hose (2-9) and settled down
after a shaky opening inning to scatter six hits over five and two-thirds
innings of work. The senior righty allowed
five runs, three earned in the appearance and took the loss while striking out
four and walking four.
The
Mountaineers (10-0) struck first with two in the first, one in the third and an
additional run in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth
inning.
In the
bottom of the frame, PC exploded for three runs off four hits. Aaron Preston doubled home the first run
while Matt Hill brought Preston in to score with a single of his own. Hill stole second base and was plated off a
single from Mack Hite to make the score 4-3.
A run in the
sixth chased Hammond and three more in the top of the seventh extended the lead
back to 8-3. The Blue Hose went to work
after the stretch to put runners on the corners for Kenny Bryant. The sophomore first baseman rifled a ball
through the left side to score Alex Loftin and cut the lead to 8-4.
Andrew Foushee entered the game to record the final out of the seventh inning and worked
a masterful eighth and ninth innings for PC.
The hurler allowed one hit in his outing to keep ASU off the scoreboard
for the remainder of the game.
In the
bottom of the eighth, Jesse Harmon cracked the 1-0 pitch over the left field
fence for his first home run of the season.
The long ball sparked an inning where the Apps made two costly errors
that allowed Aaron Preston to come around and score to make the line, 8-6.
A scoreless
ninth for ASU brought the Blue Hose to the plate needing two runs to prolong
the game. Bryant opened the inning with a
single through the right side. After a
strikeout, Jesse Harmon looked to have grounded into a 3-6-1 double play, but
the senior's quick feet helped him beat the throw at first and extend the
inning. Harmon stole second, but it was
no matter as Carl Della Torre struck out to end the game.
The Blue Hose
recorded 12 hits to ASU's eight but committed three errors to Appalachian State's
two. Hite was 3-for-3 with a walk and
two RBI while Della Torre went 3-for-5.
PC will take
to the road for a Friday doubleheader against North Carolina Central at the
Durham Bulls Athletic Park. First pitch
for the set is 3 p.m.
