University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
0-1
Lipscomb
1-0
Madole’s Two-Run Home Run Not Enough As Bulldogs Fall 3-2
02.16.2018 | Baseball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Despite a two-run homer from Jake Madole, the UNC Asheville baseball team dropped its season opener, 3-2, on Friday at Dugan Field.
BULLDOG BITES
In the first inning, Carmine Pagano was the Bulldogs' first base runner of the season, as he drew a one-out walk. Following a strikeout, Brandon Lankford was hit by a pitch, which put two runners on. However, Pagano was caught stealing to end the threat.
Jordan Fulbright worked a quick first inning for the Bulldogs, as he went 1-2-3 along with a pair of strikeouts.
Sophomore Chris Troost earned UNC Asheville its first hit of the season, as he connected with a single to center in the second inning. Following a walk, the Bulldogs struck out twice to leave a pair stranded.
The first run of the game came on a one-out double from Lipscomb's Von Watson in the bottom of the frame.
The narrow one-run lead held for the Bison until the top of the fifth, as Asheville took its first lead of the contest. Redshirt sophomore Madole pulled a two-out two RBI homer to give the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead.
The Bisons quickly retaliated in the bottom of the frame, as they struck for two runs off two singles.
The Bulldogs went 1-2-3 in back-to-back innings, but in the eighth frame, Asheville started the inning with a Lankford single and a Madole walk. However, Asheville's next three batters went down in order.
Kyle Kemp came in to close the game for Lipscomb where he notched two strikeouts to seal the 3-2 victory for the Bisons.
Overall, Madole paced the Asheville offense with a two-hit night and a pair of RBIs. Troost added a pair of singles, while Joe Gruszka and Lankford each picked up their first hit of the season.
Despite being pinned with the loss, Fulbright twirled 4.2 innings, where he tallied five strikeouts. Ethan Tressler - who made his collegiate debut - tossed a unblemished frame, where he also recorded his first collegiate strikeout. Jesse Juday tossed the final two frames for the Bulldogs where he only allowed one hit and struck out a Bison.
As a team, UNC Asheville tallied both of its runs in two-out situations. The Bulldogs were also successful in advancement opportunities, as they advanced seven players out of 18 total opportunities.
The Bulldogs fall to 0-1 on the year, while Lipscomb picks up its first victory of the season.
What's Next?
Game two of the three-game series versus Lipscomb will start at 3 p.m. in Nashville on Saturday.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: COLON, Joshua (1-0)
L: Fulbright, Jordan (0-1)
S: KEMP, Kyle (1)
Batting:
HR: Madole, Jake 1
RBI: Madole, Jake 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Zayatz, Joe 1 ; Madole, Jake 1
SB: Pagano, Carmine 1
CS: Pagano, Carmine 1
HBP: Lankford, Brandon 1
Batting:
2B: PERRY, Jake 1 ; WATSON, Von 1
RBI: MARTINEZ, Josh 1 ; WATSON, Von 1 ; HOOKER, Allan 1
SH: THOMAS, Blake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DODSON, Zeke 1 ; PERRY, Jake 1 ; THOMAS, Blake 1
PO: THOMAS, Blake 1
