March 25, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Knights’ sophomore Charles Weber (Concord, N.C.) drilled a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings but a freshman Brooks Arnette (Lakeview, S.C.) RBI-triple in the 13th inning lifted visiting Lander University to a 7-6 non-conference baseball victory over host St. Andrews Presbyterian College on Tuesday afternoon at Clark Field.

The Bearcats (16-15 overall) led 6-3 heading into the home half of the ninth but the Knights (11-23) scored three runs with their backs against the wall.

Arnette and senior TJ Guinan (Annandale, Va.) led the 17-hit attack by Lander with four base knocks apiece. St. Andrews totaled 14 hits on the day including three by sophomore Jeremy Fisher (Catonsville, Md.) and junior Kyle Norris (Laurel Hill, N.C.).

Guinan and Arnette quickly gave the visitors an early 2-0 advantage with back-to-back RBI hits in the top of the first.

Senior Sam Williams (Rockingham, N.C.) provided St. Andrews with a single in the third that plated Fisher for the Knights first run of the game.

Lander scored two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings while SAPC scored one run in each of those innings as the Bearcats doubled their lead to 6-3. Guinan highlighted Landers scoring with a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning. Guinan’s blast was his first of the season.

Knights senior B.J. Horne (Hamlet, N.C.) connected for his third homer of the season to lead off the fourth and then added an RBI-single in the fifth.

After three scoreless innings, St. Andrews was finally able to tie the game in the ninth. Junior J.T. Maguire (Jarrettsville, Md.) drew a leadoff walk and Fisher followed with a single. A throwing error on a double play attempt allowed Maguire to score. Norris added a double to put the game tying runs on second and third. Lander forced an groundout to the pitcher leaving the runners stationed in scoring position but Weber came up with the clutch two-run single.

The score remained deadlocked at 6-6 for the first three extra frames before Lander broke through in the 13th. Guinan had a one-out single and then stole second. Arnette then ripped a standup triple to the right-center fence that scored Guinan for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Junior reliever Tim Rau (Greenville, S.C.) was credited with his third win of the season pitching the final four innings for the Bearcats.

Senior Travis Lee (Frederick, Md.) was tagged with the loss even though he only allowed one run in 7.0 innings of relief for freshman starter Chris Dobbins (Winston-Salem, N.C.).

St. Andrews hosts Chowan University in a non-conference doubleheader tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 1:00 p.m. while Lander returns home for a Peach Belt three-game series against Georgia College & State University on Friday and Saturday, March 28-29.