CLINTON, S.C. - The Blue Hose offense scored more runs than they did in
the series opener against UNC Asheville, but ultimately fell, 10-3 to the
Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon. PC
managed just one run on Friday, but it was Asheville that grabbed the early
lead with eight runs in the first four innings.
UNCA improves to 10-17 and 4-7 in the Big South while PC falls to 8-22
and 1-7 in the league.
The Bulldogs came out hot with two runs
in the first, one in the second, three in the third and two more in the fourth
to gain an 8-0 lead. PC used three
pitchers in the span with Steven Richardson allowing six runs off ten hits in
the first two and two-thirds innings of work.
Rodney Scruggs replaced Richardson in the third and worked two-thirds of
an inning, allowing two runs off two hits.
It was Drew Wingo that stopped the
bleeding on the mound by throwing two and two-thirds of one-hit ball. He struck out three and walked two to keep
UNCA off the scoreboard down the stretch.
In the fifth inning, PC was buoyed by
Mack Hite's double with one out in the stanza.
He scored later in the inning from third base off a single by Kenny
Bryant. The run cut the margin down to
seven runs.
The Bulldogs added two more in the top
of the ninth, scoring on consecutive singles with runners in scoring position.
Pinch hitter Jeff Tatum opened the final
frame with a resounding double down the leftfield line. Two pitches later, he was sent home by Gabe
Grammer's two-run home run. The
sophomore's second home run of the season cut the lead to 10-3. However, PC would end the game three batters
later, dropping the contest to its I-26 rival.
Richardson took the loss to fall to 1-6
while Asheville's Drew Spear improved to 2-1 with the win.
The Blue Hose close out the series
against UNC Asheville on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the Blue Hose will honor the
2010 seniors. Senior Day festivities are
slated to begin at 12:45.
