University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
10-15, 0
Longwood
7-19, 0
UNC Asheville’s Offense Explodes in 11-Run Win Over Longwood
03.30.2019 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Behind 17 hits and 14 runs, the UNC Asheville baseball team held the Longwood offense to just six hits in the 14-3 victory over the Lancers on Saturday at Greenwood Field.
The victory sealed the league series win over the Lancers, which is the second time this year the Bulldogs have won a conference series - versus USC Upstate.
BULLDOG BITES
Highlights
The first three innings was a pitching duel between UNC Asheville's starter Jacob Edwards and Longwood's starter Tyler Morgan. In fact, the two starting pitchers combined for just three hits allowed in the first three frames.
Edwards continued his hot stretch, as he went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth to keep the Lancers scoreless.
The Bulldogs took advantage with the game's first runs. Brandon Lankford started the rally with a one-out single to third base. Danny Wilson followed with a double to left field, which allowed Lankford to score the first run of the game. After a groundout and a walk, Chris Troost singled to left field to advance the UNC Asheville lead to two, 2-0.
After another scoreless frame in the fifth for Longwood, UNC Asheville's offense added four more runs to take the 6-0 lead. All four runs came with two outs as well. Joe Gruszka knocked a two-RBI double to push the lead to four. Carmine Pagano cleared the bases, as the shortstop singled to right center to advance the lead to six runs.
The Bulldogs didn't stop there, as they rattled off seven more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lankford singled to left to score Freeberger to start the seven-run inning. Wilson followed with a two-RBI triple to advance the lead to 9-0. Following a pitching change, Gruszka smacked another RBI hit to extend the lead. Two batters later, Freeberger singled to center to score Heintz from second base. After a Jake Madole walk, Lankford again walked to make the game 13-0. After the second pitching change of the inning, Wilson had a check-swing single to second base to account for the 14-0 lead.
Longwood tried to mount a comeback, but the Lancers were only able to score three runs in the final three innings to end the game at 14-3.
UNC Asheville's offense was red hot, as it accumulated 17 total hits. Of those 17 hits, four went extra-bases - two triples and two doubles.
Wilson was phenomenal at the plate, as he collected three hits in six at-bats. He totaled a game-high four RBIs and also touched home three times.
Five other Bulldogs posted multiple hits on Saturday - Freeberger, Lankford, Gruszka, Pagano and Heintz. The five Bulldogs combined for 10 hits, eight RBIs and nine runs. Gruszka had three of those RBIs, while Freeberger and Lankford each touched home three times.
Four other Bulldogs posted a hit in Saturday's affair.
Freshman Edwards was solid in his first weekend start. He finished the game working 5.1 innings without a run to score. He scattered four hits and struck out six batters. The six strikeouts and 5.1 innings were career bests for the rookie.
Ethan Tressler was solid in his outing, as he only tossed 0.2 innings. However, he used only six pitches to strike out the two Lancers he faced.
Austin Fahr pitched one inning and didn't allow an earned run, and Joe Sondock closed the game with two innings, no hits, no runs and four strikeouts.
With the win, UNC Asheville moves to 10-15 overall and 5-3 in Big South games. Longwood drops to 7-19 on the year and 2-6 in league contests.
What's Next?
Game three of the Bulldog-Lancer series is set for Sunday, March 31. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Greenwood Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Edwards, Jacob (3-0)
L: MORGAN, Tyler (2-4)
Batting:
RBI: MERCADO, Eli 1 ; WADSWORTH, Cullan 1 ; MAHONE, Tyler 1
SH: PITTS, De'Andre 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CARTER, Scott 1 ; GILLIAM, Hunter 1 ; MERCADO, Eli 1
CS: KELLER, Grant 1
HBP: TUCKER, Antwaun 1 ; CARTER, Scott 2 ; WADSWORTH, Cullan 1
Batting:
2B: Wilson, Danny 1 ; Gruszka, Joe 1
3B: Wilson, Danny 1 ; Pagano, Carmine 1
RBI: Freeberger, Dominic 1 ; Lankford, Brandon 1 ; Wilson, Danny 4 ; Gruszka, Joe 3 ; Pagano, Carmine 2 ; Troost, Chris 1 ; Heintz, PJ 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cuozzi, Anthony 1 ; Freeberger, Dominic 3 ; Madole, Jake 1 ; Lankford, Brandon 3 ; Wilson, Danny 3 ; Gruszka, Joe 2 ; Heintz, PJ 1
SB: Pagano, Carmine 1
HBP: Troost, Chris 1
