University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Winthrop
Bulldogs Can't Connect on Late Threat, Fall Friday Night
04.17.2015 | Baseball
ROCK HILL, S.C. – The UNC Asheville baseball team had the bases loaded in the ninth inning but were unable to push across any runs as they dropped their series opener to Winthrop, 3-0, on the road Friday night.
The Bulldogs (16-22, 3-10 Big South Conference) used a fielder's choice ground ball, a single and a walk to load the bases in the top of the ninth, but Winthrop (25-14, 5-8 BSC) pitcher Joey Strain came out of the bullpen to strike out Pete Guy and close the game for the hosts.
Asheville finished with eight hits, including two apiece from seniors Hunter Bryant and Tommy Houmard, while Joe Tietjen, Justin Woods Erik Connolly and Tanner Bush all collected one hit. Three of the eight hits were doubles – one each from Bryant, Woods and Connolly.
Starter Joe Zayatz was saddled with the loss, dropping to 1-6 on the year despite tossing six solid innings with six strikeouts. He allowed nine hits and the three runs – two in the fourth inning and a single run in the fifth.
The Bulldogs saw their first chance to score come in the second inning when they opened the inning with back-to-back singles from Bryant and Houmard before Winthrop starter Sam Kmiec strike out the side to end the frame.
After leaving one runner stranded in the second and third innings, Houmard reached with a one-out single in the fourth frame before Woods connected on his double deep into the left field corner. Winthrop used a good relay throw to erase Houmard at the plate and end the threat.
The hosts used four consecutive hits to crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back doubles brought in the first run for Winthrop before an RBI single plated the second run of the inning. The Eagles added their final run of the night in the fifth frame with a single that was followed up by an RBI triple into center field.
The Bulldogs left a runner stranded in the seventh and eighth innings before loading the bases in the top of the ninth. In the ninth, Lucas Owens opened the inning by reaching on an error before he was erased two batters later as Connolly reached on his fielder's choice groundout. Bush delivered a pinch-hit single and Tietjen walked to load the bases for Guy.
Strain came on out of the bullpen to strike out Guy and notch his sixth save of the season for Winthrop.
With the heavy threat of rain in the forecast for Sunday, the teams will now play a doubleheader on Saturday set to begin at 2 p.m. with the second game to follow. Lucas Clarke and Matt Crohan will square off in game one, while Jordan Fulbright and Josh Strong will get the ball in the second game.
