CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College grabbed the lead early but
surrendered two late runs to fall to its I-26 rival UNC Asheville, 2-1 on
Friday afternoon. Gabe Grammer went
3-for-4 on the day and the PC pitching staff fanned eight batters, but it wasn't
enough as the Blue Hose fall to 8-21 and 1-6 in league play while the Bulldogs
improve to 9-17 and 3-7 in league play.
Grammer opened the bottom of the first
with his third triple of the season to centerfield. He was plated a batter later as Mack Hite
grounded out to the shortstop. The
three-bagger for Grammer was his ninth of the season. He lies one triple shy of becoming the 21st
Big South student-athlete to reach double-digits in triples.
With a 1-0 lead, PC's starting pitcher
Jesse Harmon went into cruise mode. The
senior righty fanned six batters and scattered seven hits overall. He gave up an unearned run in the fifth and an
earned run in the seventh as UNCA took a
2-1 lead.
Harmon exited after seven innings and
made way for Jordan Pace. The sophomore
lefty tossed a perfect eighth, striking out two Bulldog batters. Andrew Foushee worked a clean ninth to give
the batters an opportunity in the bottom of the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, PC went
quietly as UNCA's Ryan Dull went the distance to improve to 4-1. He struck out six Blue Hose batters and
allowed just six hits and the one run.
Harmon was given the loss to fall to 1-5 on the year.
Tony Micklon was 2-for-4 on the day
while Kenny Bryant went 1-for-4 as all of PC's offense came from the first five
batters in the lineup.
The weekend series continues on Saturday
afternoon at 2 p.m. The game follows PC's
"Blue & White Spring Football Game" which starts at 10 a.m. and is
scheduled to finish by Noon. The PC
Baseball Parents Association will be hosting a concession stand and fans are
encouraged to have lunch at the ballpark while enjoying batting practice.
