PEMBROKE, N.C. – The King University baseball team erupted for 14 runs in the second game of the day against UNC Pembroke, but were unable to pull the win out, falling 18-14 to close the series.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: UNC Pembroke 7, King 2; UNC Pembroke 18, King 14
LOCATION: Carolina Bank Field; Florence, S.C.
SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
- Truman Roper was 1-for-4 in the second game, with a grand slam and four RBI.
- Nathan Borchardt had three hits and three RBI in the second game, scoring four runs as well.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Braves got the scoring started in the third inning, posting five runs to take the lead.
- Jacob Eargle hit a two-out single in the top of the fourth, advancing to second on a passed ball before scoring when Patrick Corley doubled down the left field line.
- That brought Roper to the plate, who singled through the left side, allowing Corley to score and cutting the lead to 5-2.
- King then got a hit by pitch to put two runners on, but were unable to add any further runs.
- UNC Pembroke responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking another five-run lead, 7-2.
- The Tornado loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh, but the Braves were able to escape thanks to a pair of strikeouts and a game-ending fielder's choice, hanging on for a 7-2 win.
OF RECORD
Winning Pitcher: Jonathan Jacobs (2-1) 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO
Losing Pitcher: Corbin Dickenson (1-3) 4.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
Save: Seth Willis (4) 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS
- The Braves again got the scoring started, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead.
- In the top of the second, the Tornado scored eight runs, including a two-out grand slam from Roper, an RBI walk by Ethan Pribramsky and a three-run home run from Borchardt, giving the Tornado an 8-3 lead.
- King added a run in the third, as Conner Hyatt was hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a throwing error by the pitcher before scoring on a Corley single down the right field line.
- After a UNC Pembroke three-run home run in their half of the third, King responded with three in the fourth.
- Michael Starrs reached base on an error with one out, advancing to second when Borchardt drew a walk. He then scored when Joe Amunategui III reached on a fielder's choice, as well as an error that allowed Starrs to score.
- Hyatt then singled to right field, allowing Borchardt to score.
- Jose Ruiz then used a sacrifice bunt to score Amunategui, making it a 12-6 Tornado lead.
- The Braves then scored five in the bottom of the fourth, pulling to within 12-11.
- Borchardt led off the sixth with a walk before Amunategui singled to put two on for Hyatt, who reached base on a fielder's choice and bunt, which allowed Borchardt to score.
- Ruiz then used a bunt single to score Amunategui, making the score 14-11 in favor of King.
- UNC Pembroke scored one in the bottom of the inning, before scoring twice in the seventh and four in the eighth to win 18-14.
OF RECORD
Winning Pitcher: Landon Lucas (2-0) 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
Losing Pitcher: Cole Pletcher (0-4) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 Er, 4 BB, 0 SO
FOR THE FOES
- The Braves had five extra base hits, including doubles from Luis Ramirez, Isaias Villarreal and Ashton Donathan, as well as a triple from Will Hood and a home run from Landon Lucas.
UP NEXT
- King will play at Emory & Henry Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
