February 05, 2006

Boxscore

FLORENCE, SC—Junior outfielder Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) drilled a two-out, run-scoring double to plate senior Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) with the winning run in the top of the ninth inning as St. Andrews Presbyterian College stunned 11th-ranked Francis Marion University, 2-1, Sunday afternoon in non-conference baseball action.

The Knights, who have won three straight, improved to 3-1 while the Patriots dropped to 2-1. The two squads will meet again on Wednesday at St. Andrews for a 2 p.m. contest.

“It was a tremendous win for the program and a great win this early in the season,” said first year St. Andrews Head Coach Chris Chaffinch.

FMU junior lefty Lee Tabor pitched seven innings, allowing only one hit, while striking out a career-high 15 batters. Patriot sophomore Michael Williams (0-1) pitched the final two innings and was tagged with the loss.

Senior right-handed hurler Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) pitched seven outstanding innings scattering seven singles while fanning eight Patriots. Mehling passed 100 career strike outs with 103 total K’s after Sunday’s effort. Junior lefty Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA), who improved to 1-1, picked up the win in relief while sophomore closer T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) earned his second save in as many days.

“Both starting pitchers were unbelievable,” continued Chaffinch. “I’m extremely pleased with Mehling’s first outing. If he gives us outings like that, he will be putting us in great situations all year. It’s all I can ask out of him and the rest of our staff.”

FMU claimed a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI-groundout by freshman Taylor Norfleet.

St. Andrews tied the game at 1-1 in the third frame with an unearned run. Leadoff batter Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, NC) singled home Matt Harkness (Walnut Cove, NC), who had reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball.

FMU left fielder Justin Greene (2-4) and first baseman Brandon McClure (2-4) were the only players with multiple hits in the game.

“The win gives the team confidence that we are a good team and can compete at a high level,” concluded Chaffinch.

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