University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
12-33
North Carolina Central
28-24
Lankford’s Homer Not Enough In 4-2 Setback at NC Central
05.09.2018 | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore third baseman Brandon Lankford provided a two-run homer in the second inning, but the UNC Asheville baseball team fell 4-2 to NC Central on Wednesday at Durham Athletic Park.
BULLDOG BITES
Highlights
After a hitless first inning for both squads, UNC Asheville scored the game's first runs off one swing of the bat. With one out, Tyler Serricchio drew a walk, and Lankford followed with an opposite field two-run homer to open the contest to 2-0.
UNC Asheville starting pitcher Nick Boyles offered a solid start, as he held the Eagles off the scoreboard for the first three frames. He only allowed two hits in that stretch and struck out three. Jesse Juday continued to hold NC Central off the scoreboard, as he worked a scoreless fourth and fifth innings.
In the top of the sixth, Joe Gruszka attempted to start a rally, as he cracked a leadoff single. However, he was erased off the base paths, as Danny Wilson hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, NC Central took advantage of a leadoff single and two walks, as it scored its first run of the game. With the run, it pulled the contest to a 2-1 deficit for the Eagles.
Following another quiet inning for both squads in the seventh, NC Central took its first lead of the contest in the home half of the eighth. With two outs in the frame, two Eagles drew back-to-back walks to put two runners on base. Jacob Raby connected with a single to score one, and Timmy Fischvogt singled up the middle to cap off the three-run frame for the Eagles.
In the final inning, the Bulldogs attempted a comeback, but NC Central's Jake McCort went 1-2-3 to seal the 4-2 victory for his team and his first save of the season.
Lankford provided the biggest hit for the Bulldogs, which was in the second inning. He connected with a two-run, opposite field home run, which gave Asheville the early lead.
Gruszka and Greg Gasparro each tallied a hit, which were both singles.
Joe Zayatz, Carmine Pagano, Serricchio and Gasparro all totaled a walk in the mid-week contest.
Boyles was efficient in his second consecutive start, as he totaled three innings. He also struck out three Eagles and needed only 44 pitches.
Juday posted two scoreless innings, and Austin Fahr offered a scoreless outing of relief. Fahr faced four batters and struck out two of them.
UNC Asheville falls to 12-33 overall, and NC Central concludes its season with a 28-24 overall record.
What's Next?
UNC Asheville will host a three-game series versus High Point beginning on Friday, May 11.
Friday's contest will be Fan Friday, and Saturday is Senior Day, as UNC Asheville will recognize its 2018 graduating class. Also on Saturday, it will serve as Mike Gore Appreciate Day, as we will recognize the legendary UNC Asheville Sports Information Director. Sunday will celebrate Mother's Day, as we will recognize the mothers of the baseball players.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: FIGUEROA,Jonathan (8-4)
L: Whitecavage, Eric (2-2)
S: McCORT,Jake (1)
Batting:
HR: Lankford, Brandon 1
RBI: Lankford, Brandon 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Serricchio, Tyler 1 ; Lankford, Brandon 1
HBP: Lankford, Brandon 1
Batting:
RBI: CUEVAS,Dominic 1 ; RABY,Jacob 1 ; FISCHVOGT,Timmy 2
SF: CUEVAS,Dominic 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HOLLAND,Evan 1 ; VALICHKA,Andrew 1 ; CUEVAS,Dominic 1 ; RABY,Jacob 1
SB: WILLIAMS,Carter 1 ; CUEVAS,Dominic 1
