March 21, 2008

Game 1
Game 2

LAURINBURG, N.C.—St. Andrews Presbyterian College had the game-winning run on third base with no-outs in the first inning of Saturday’s second game but Pfeiffer University was able to keep the run from scoring winning the finale 8-4 in nine innings (scheduled seven innings). The Falcons (17-17 Overall; 6-8 Conf.) held off the Knights (10-21; 4-13), 10-8, in the first game to sweeps the Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Clark Field.

Senior B.J. Horne (Hamlet, N.C.) was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate while classmate Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, N.C.) collected a team-high three RBI on three hits including a home run in the opener.

Sophomores Josh Strickland (Liberty, N.C.) and Zack Pou (Stanley, N.C.) both tallied five hits to lead Pfeiffer to the pair of wins. Strickland and senior Shawn Coke (West Palm Beach, Fla.) each ripped home runs in the first game. Senior Bryan Braxton (Hillsborough, N.C.) had a team-high four RBI.

The two teams will complete the three-game league series on Saturday at 12 Noon.

The Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first game with four runs in the first and one run in the second. Senior Hayes Hinson (Raleigh, N.C.) highlighted Pfeiffer’s surge with a two-run single in the first.

After junior Kyle Norris (Laurel Hill, N.C.) doubled to start the bottom of the fourth, sophomore Vince Giunta (Sewell, N.J.) plated Norris with a single for the Knights first run of the game.

Both teams scored two runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth as Pfeiffer maintained a 10-6 advantage. Eastwood’s first home run of the season, a two-run jack, came in the fifth inning. Strickland hit a solo homer in the sixth while Coke followed with a two-run shot in the same inning.

The Knights continued to trail by four runs heading into the bottom of the ninth but they took advantage of a Pfeiffer error to score a couple of unearned runs. Senior Eric Stone (Laurinburg, N.C.) had a two-run double to cut the deficit in half, 10-8, sending the tying run up to plate but the Falcons closer, sophomore Andrew Oliver (Cornelius, N.C.), entered the game and recorded a strikeout to end the game.

Sophomore reliever Tim Peele (Lexington, N.C.) was credited with his first win of the season after Falcons sophomore Nick Fogleman (Waxhaw, N.C.) was unable to go the required five innings for a starter.

Horne was 4-for-4 in the first game with two runs scored while five different Pfeiffer batters registered two hits.

In the nightcap, St. Andrews built an early 2-0 lead with one run in both the second and third. Norris had a run-producing double to supply the Knights with their second run.

The Falcons catapulted into the lead with a bases-loaded three run double by Braxton in the fourth. Braxton’s bases-clearing double in the right-center gap gave the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Eastwood tied the contest at three apiece with a single down the left field line that scored sophomore Alex Ridout (Wake Forest, N.C.). Neither team scored in the sixth and seventh innings forcing extra innings.

Strickland, who had four hits in the second game, had an RBI-single in the top of the eighth to put the Falcons back on top.

With their back against the wall, St. Andrews loaded the bases with no outs on a single by Eastwood, a double by Norris, and an intentional walk to senior Sam Williams (Rockingham, N.C.). All three base runners then advanced on a wild pitch including Eastwood scoring to tie the game at 4-4. However, Pfeiffer was able to keep the Knights from winning in walk-off fashion as Oliver tallied a strikeout, a pop fly-out to short right, and a groundout.

The Falcons took the lead for good with four runs in the top of the ninth including an RBI-single by Coke, a two-run single by Pou, and another RBI-single by Strickland. Oliver improved to 5-1 on the season with a hitless ninth inning.

Horne pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Knights allowing three runs on nine hits while fanning a game-high four Falcons. Pfeiffer sophomore Jonathan McDaniel (Mocksville, N.C.) allowed just four runs (two earned) on eight hits over 7.0 innings in the no-decision.