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ASU and UNG Greensboro Advance to Next Round
Game 6: #5 UNCGreensboro14, #9 Wofford 5
With the score tied 1-1 after one inning, UNC Greensboro scored four runs in the fourth inning and four more in the sixth and tackled on four more in the ninth frame to post a 14-5 victory over Wofford before 659 fans in the second round of the Bennett Hofford Southern Conference Baseball Championship at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C.
The Spartans drew first blood in the top of the first. Sean Snell doubled down the line to open the game and moved to third when Matt Gaski reached on an error. Snell scored on Ricky Orton’s sacrifice fly to give UNC Greensboro a 1-0 advantage. Wofford answered in the bottom of the inning. Kyle Behrendt walked and stole second and moved to third on a ground out. He scored when Shane Kirkley singled up the middle.
UNC Greensboro tacked on four more runs in the fourth frame. Gaski doubled to left field with one out and, after Orton walked, Greg Feltes singled through the left side to load the bases. Gaski scored on Tim Carrier’s sacrifice fly and Corey Overholtzer’s single scored another. After the runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, Pedro Leon walked to load the bases. A walk to Drew Gerhinger plated a run and Ray Quinones singled in another to give the Spartans an 8-1 lead.
Wofford scored a run in the fourth inning when Michael Gilmartin homered to left centerfield.
In the sixth inning, UNC Greensboro scored four times on five hits and a walk. Carrier launched a home run with Feltes aboard to make it 7-2. After Overholtzer singled and Gehringer walked, Quinones singled in Overholtzer for the eighth run. Snell’s single chased Gehringer home.
Wofford added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Jake Williams doubled down the line after Kirkley walked to cut the lead to 9-3 but Williams was thrown out at third base and Keith Munns grounded out to end the inning.
The Spartans tacked on a run in the seventh inning. After Gaski walked, Orton singled to center and Feltes grounded out to move the runners to second and third. Carrier flied out, scoring Gaski.
Wofford scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to close the gap to 10-5 when Gilmartin homered to left field after Sterling Dye had walked.
Feltes clubbed a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning to push the lead to 14-5. Snell and Gaski singled and Orton walked setting up Feltes home run.
Feltes had four hits and drove in four runs and Carrier stroked four hits as well for the Spartans. Starter Rob Gilliam (4-4) earned the win.
Gilmartin and Mo Seay had two hits each to lead the Terriers. Starter Tom Dolinak (2-4) took the loss.
UNC Greensboro will take on the loser of the Elon-Georgia Southern game on Friday at 3:30 p.m. With the loss, Wofford, defending Southern Conference Tournament champion, was eliminated from the championship.
Game 5: #6 Appalachian State 10, #7Western Carolina5
Appalachian State (32-26) scored eight runs in the first two innings and went on to defeat Western Carolina (29-28), 10-5, before 657 fans in the second round of the Bennett Hofford Family of Hotels Southern Conference Baseball Championship at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C.
The Mountaineers tallied four runs in the first inning, chasing Catamount starter Corey Martin. Jason Altenhof led off the game with a double and, following a walk to Wes Hobson, David Rubinstein singled to load the bases. Isaac Harrow singled in one run and Jason Rook’s single plated two additional runs. Andrew Franco flied out allowingHarrowto score.
Appalachian State struck again in the third inning. Rubinstein andHarrowsingled setting up Jason Wallace’s RBI single down the line. David Towarnicky’s three-run home run gave the Mountaineers an 8-0 advantage after four innings.
Western Carolinastruck for one run in the sixth inning. Liles walked and moved to third on Notaro’s single. Barrett Shaft’s single scored Liles for the first Catamount run.
After Appalachian State added two runs in the seventh inning on an RBI by Andrew Franco and Rand Smith drove in another with a sacrifice bunt.
Western Carolinatacked on three runs in the eighth inning. Mitchell Hatley was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Liles. Stephen Notaro tripled to right center to score both runs. Notaro scored on Shaft’s ground out to make the score 10-5.
Appalachian State starter Josh Dowdy (6-6) earned the win allowing seven hits in seven innings while striking out six.Western Carolina's Martin (2-2) absorbed the loss.
Rubinstein had three hits and Towarnicky drove in three runs to pace the Mountaineers while Notaro had three hits and Shaft drove in three runs for the Catamounts.
The Mountaineers will take on the loser of College of Charleston-Furman game. The Catamounts were eliminated from the tournament.