February 8, 2008

Boxscore

FLORENCE, S.C.—St. Andrews Presbyterian scored the first three runs of the game but Lander University was able to rally back for a 6-3 NCAA Division II baseball victory in Friday’s matinee of the 2008 Swamp Fox Challenge hosted by Francis Marion University at Cormell Field.

The Bearcats improved their record at 2-2 while the Knights dropped their third straight falling to 1-3. St. Andrews will next face host Francis Marion on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. while concluding the Swamp Fox Challenge against UNC Pembroke on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

St. Andrews jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first with three consecutive seeing-eyed RBI-singles. Senior Sam Williams (Rockingham, N.C.) started the scoring with a single through the left side; junior Matt Harkness (Walnut Cove, N.C.) followed with his run-producing single through the right side; and sophomore Vince Giunta (Sewell, N.J.) capped the surge scoring Williams with a single up the middle.

Lander rallied back and doubled up the score, 6-3, with three runs in both the second and third. Freshman Brook Arnette (Lakeview, S.C.) started the Bobcats scoring with an RBI-double. Freshmen Josh Lovvorn (Bradley, S.C.) and Robert Skinner (Hartsville, S.C.) drove in the final two Lander runs in the second. The Bobcats started the third with back-to-back triples by freshman AJ Nunziato (S. Setauket, N.Y.) and senior TJ Guinan (Annandale, Va.). Lovvorn later added his second straight RBI-single

Bearcats senior starter Daniel Hinchberger (Philomath, Ore.) remained perfect on the season at 2-0 by allowing just three runs on seven hits and two walks over 7.0 innings of work. Junior closer Craig Roberson (Liberty, S.C.) secured the victory with his second save of the season.

Senior hurler B.J. Horne (Hamlet, N.C.) took his first loss of the season after allowing six runs (four earned) on 11 hits. Horne (1-1), who threw 98 pitches, settled down after the third and registered a game-high six strikeouts. Freshman Kyle Cummings (Wake Forest, N.C.) retired all five batters he faced in relief of Horne, including a pair of K’s in only his second collegiate appearance.

All eight of the Knights hits were singles including a pair of base hits by senior Eric Stone (Laurinburg, N.C.). Both teams left eight runners on base.

Guinan and Lovvorn led the Bearcats offensively with three hits apiece.