Knights promote Chaffinch to head baseball coach

August 11, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—St. Andrews Presbyterian College Athletic Director Howard Reichner announced Thursday that Chris Chaffinch has been selected as the head coach of the Knights baseball program.

“I am elated that Chris will lead our baseball program at St. Andrews,” said Reichner. “He has worked very hard as a coach and as a mentor. I wish both Chris and the team a successful year both in the classroom and on the field.”

Chaffinch had spent the past three years working as an assistant coach under former head coach Bobby Simmons. In his time at St. Andrews, Chaffinch’s hard work and dedication made him a top choice for the job.

“I would like to thank Howard Reichner and the rest of the administration for the opportunity to coach at St. Andrews,” expressed Chaffinch. “I also want to thank Bobby Simmons for bringing me in here as an assistant and allowing me to grow as an assistant which has led me to become the head coach.”

Over the past three years the Knights have improved on their win total each year with Chaffinch as an assistant. Last season St. Andrews’ 32-22 record was its best mark since 1997. The Knights improved in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference regular season standings each year and finished third in the CVAC Tournament the past two years.

“The type of ball will not change much being we all (coaching staff) worked together on ideas,” explained Chaffinch. “It’s a system we came up with together with Bobby and I will not have to change much.”

“Since I have been here for three years and been involved in all of the ins and outs of the team, I believe we will continue to be successful. Both the players and myself are expecting big things this season.”

While at St. Andrews, Chaffinch was responsible for the instruction and development of the hitters, outfielders, and base runners. The Knights batted .312 in 2004 and .319 in 2005 under Chaffinch. Recruiting coordination, fundraising, unofficial/official recruiting visits, strength and conditioning of players, and field upkeep were other responsibilities Chaffinch held as an assistant.

Before coming to SAPC, Chaffinch spent one season at a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Wesley College (Delaware). Chaffinch graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Chaffinch continued his education at Wesley and earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management in 2002.

Chaffinch played four years of collegiate baseball at Wesley, where he was a starting outfielder. In his playing career, Chaffinch set Wesley records in games played, stolen bases, hits, home runs, triples, batting average, RBI, runs, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.

Chaffinch was a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) MVP, Wesley College MVP, Regional All-American, three-time First Team All-PAC Outfielder, three-time All-ECAC Outfielder, two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region Outfielder, NABF World Series All-Star, and a two-time team captain.

Chaffinch will also continue to teach in the business department at St. Andrews. Chaffinch has had experience as a visiting faculty member, residential director, administrative assistant/facility manager, and tutor coordinator at St. Andrews.

“I’m very happy that the process is over and am excited to get the school year started and especially the spring season,” concluded Chaffinch.

Simmons resigns from St. Andrews baseball

June 29, 2005  

LAURINBURG, NC—St. Andrews Presbyterian College Athletic Director Howard Reichner announced on Wednesday the resignation of Head Baseball Coach Bobby Simmons after seven years with the Knights baseball program.

“We all will miss Coach Simmons and his wife, Michele, and their boys, who have been great supporters of St. Andrews baseball and the college. We wish them the very best in their new positions,” stated Reichner.

Simmons will take over the head coaching job at Myers Park High School on August 15, where he will also teach physical education classes.

“It’s hard leaving St. Andrews after coming off our most wins in eight years and back-to-back third place CVAC finishes,” said Simmons. “But I’m going into a great situation at Myers Park High School that is good for both me and my family.”

Simmons served as an assistant coach in his first four seasons at St. Andrews. During that time the Knights won the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Tournament and finished second the CVAC regular season twice.

In his three years as head coach, Simmons accumulated a winning record of 81-77. Last season the Knights won their most games since 1997 with an impressive 32-22 record. The Knights concluded 2005 ranked ninth in the South Atlantic Region of the NCBWA Poll. Simmons finished the last two seasons strong with two consecutive third place finishes in the CVAC Baseball Tournament. Simmons coached five CVAC Players of the Week, four CVAC All-Conference and two CVAC All-Tournament players in the past three years.

During his tenure at St. Andrews Simmons was instrumental in adding multiple improvements to the baseball program including a locker-room, a sprinkler system, a brick backstop, a cement slab for bleachers, and extra bleachers.

“I’ve enjoyed my seven years of coaching at St. Andrews,” added Simmons. “I would like to thank Joe Critcher, Carl Ullrich and Howard Reichner for their time and commitment to me and to my program.”

Knights’ baseball makes run for title

April 23, 2005

WILSON, NC—No. 4 seed St. Andrews almost completed the improbable on Saturday in trying to win a triple-header in the 2005 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Baseball Tournament. The Knights started the day with a 10-3 victory over No. 5 seed Mount Olive and then almost swept No. 1 seed Limestone, winning the first game 19-1 and losing the nightcap 9-8 in 10 innings.

No. 4 St. Andrews vs. No. 5 Mount Olive (Nixon Field)

St. Andrews lost its first five meetings against Mount Olive (26-27) this season entering Saturday’s elimination game but got redemption as they coasted to a 10-3 victory and sent the Trojans home for the season.

Junior pitcher Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) was the star of the game throwing a 112-pitch compete game with five strikeouts. Mehling (3-5) also hit his first home run of the season, a grand slam to left field in the third.

At the end of the day Mehling was selected to the CVAC All-Tournament Team after going 9-for-21 (.429) with two doubles, three homers, 13 RBI, five runs, a .952 slugging percentage, a grand slam and pitching the complete game victory in SAPC’s five tournament games.

The Knights blasted four homers in the game including Everett Kelly’s (Wilmington, NC) solo shot to center field in the second. Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, NC) connected for two homers to center. Eastwood finished with three hits including the two homers and a double.

The Trojans broke up Mehling’s shutout attempt in the seventh with three runs. Lance Martin had a RBI single and Santos Estremera supplied a two-run double. Donald Huff (2-4) took the loss on the mound for MOC.

No. 4 St. Andrews vs. No. 1 Limestone (Nixon Field)\

The Knights turned around and squared off against the top seed in the tournament knowing they had to win two straight against the regular season champs to get into Sunday’s championship game. St. Andrews let Limestone know they were up for the task ripping the Saints in a 19-1 blowout.

Mehling started the onslaught with a two-run homer in the second and continued his hot play with a RBI single in the third and his second homer of the game in fifth. Mehling drove in six and scored twice.

Five Knights had three hits in the game including Mehling, Eastwood, Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC), Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) and B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC). Priest connected for two homers and Kelly drilled his team-high 13th bomb of the season.

Kelly, Hammonds and Eastwood all supplied three RBI and Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) scored three times.

Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) pitched the complete game victory for the Knights allowing just one run on six hits while striking out four. Smith improved to 5-2.

No. 4 St. Andrews vs. No. 1 Limestone (Fleming Stadium)

St. Andrews looked to complete the improbable with a late ninth inning rally that sent the game into extra innings, but 11 hours after starting play Limestone (31-23-1) edged the Knights 9-8 in 10 innings.

SAPC used the momentum of its first two games to grab an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run single by Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) and an RBI groundout by Mehling.

Mitch House made it known the Saints were not about to cave in after last game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to trim the deficit to 3-2. David Wise knotted everything at three apiece with a solo shot in the second. House put Limestone on top with his second homer of the game, a solo shot to left in the fifth.

Clark squared everything at 4-4 with a single in the sixth that plated Kelly. Wrape put St. Andrews back on top with a single in the seventh that scored Hammonds.

Limestone looked to take control of the game in the eighth with four runs. With two on and one out, Wise tied the game with an RBI double and Rob Boulknight followed hitting into a fielders choice that scored the go-ahead run. Travis Clary capped the inning off with a two-run triple to right-center.

St. Andrews was down to its last out but did not give in and rallied with three last chance runs to send the game into extra innings. Priest and Wrape started everything with back-to-back singles. Kelly followed with a walk to load the bases. Allred kept the game alive by beating out a grounder to short and driving in Priest. Mehling followed with a two-run single to right field that brought Wrape and Kelly home.

After the Knights stranded two runners in the top of the tenth, Limestone ended the game with a one-out sacrifice fly by Matt Reel. Boulknight led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Richmond Lutz. Clary followed with a single and Matt Craig walked to fill the bases with Saints before Reel provided the game-ending sac fly.

Reliever Drew Lovelace picked up the win in relief of starter Tyler Anderson, who pitched an impressive 8.2 innings with four strikeouts. T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) took the loss for SAPC and starter Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) had three strikeouts in 7.1 inning of work.

The Knights finish the season 10-games over .500 at 32-22 (.593), which is its best mark since 1997.

Knights’ baseball stays alive

April 22, 2005

WILSON, NC—After losing in the opening game of the 2005 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Baseball Tournament, 8-4, to No. 5 seed Mount Olive, No. 4 seed St. Andrews stayed alive for another day with an 11-6 victory over No. 8 Belmont Abbey on Friday.

No. 4 St. Andrews vs. No. 5 Mount Olive (Nixon Field)

Mount Olive (26-25) wasted no time in taking control of the first game as Santos Estremera started the game with a lead off home run to left field. Estremera’s single in the second loaded the bases and Lance Martin followed with a RBI groundout and Stephen Nordan cleared the bases with a three-run homer to right. Estremera extended the Trojan advantage with his second blast of the game, a two-run shot to left in the fourth. Jordan Arnold made it 8-0 in the fifth with Mt. Olive’s fourth homer of the game.

Freshman B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) drove in all four runs for the Knights with a two-run homer to left in the fifth and a single up the middle that plated Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) and Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) in the ninth. It was Horne’s third homer of the season and Hammonds had three of the Knights six hits.

Phillip Pennington (6-1) pitched the complete game for Mt. Olive and struck out seven. Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) had seven k’s in 7.0 innings of relief of starter Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC).

No. 4 St. Andrews vs. No. 8 Belmont Abbey (Fleming Stadium)

In Friday’s elimination game against Belmont Abbey (28-30), St. Andrews decided it was too early to go home and grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first with Priest’s first homer of the season, a solo shot to left. The Knights led the rest of the way.

Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) drove in Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) with a double in the third and scored on a single by Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC). Michael Eastwood’s (Grantsboro, NC) single in the fourth that plated Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) extended the Knights lead to 4-0.

Robert Yero’s solo homer in the bottom of the fourth broke up the shutout. Derek Brown and Chris Brake drilled RBI doubles in the fifth to cut the Crusader deficit to 5-3. After Knights catcher Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) led off the sixth with a solo homer, Abbey got to within one, 6-5, with a solo homer by Brown and a sacrifice fly by Josh Haire in the seventh.

It was the closest the Crusaders got as St. Andrews posted five runs in the eighth. Allred led off with his second homer of game, a rocket up near the lights in left field. Allred has eight homers on the season. Eastwood and Priest had RBI singles and Wrape drilled a two-run double down the right field line.

Priest just missed hitting for the cycle going 4-for-5 with a homer, a triple and two singles. Priest scored three times and drove in two. Wrape and Eastwood both had three hits.

St. Andrews lefty Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) picked up his fourth win going five innings to start the game. Jason Cline took the loss for Belmont Abbey.

Knights nine rallies past Lander

April 19, 2005

GREENWOOD, SC—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team avenged its season opening loss to Lander with an 8-6 victory on Tuesday night at Legion Field in Greenwood, SC, to end the season nine games over .500.

The Knights finished the regular season with a 29-20 overall record and it’s most regular season wins (29) since 1997. St. Andrews had 30 wins in 2000 and 29 in 2002, but some victories came in postseason play. The Knights also finished the regular season ranked T-10th in the NCBWA South Atlantic Regional Poll.

Lander fell to 23-23 overall despite collecting 15 hits.

St. Andrews took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second when Cliff Allred walked, Anthony Mehling reached on an infield single, and Josh Craig hit a two-out, two-run double to right center.

After Lander left the bases loaded in the fourth, the Knights scored two more two-out runs in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. With two out and nobody on, Marc Hammonds reached on a bunt single and scored on Brad Smith's triple to right. Smith scored on a wild pitch.

But the Bearcats responded with a game-tying rally in the bottom of the fifth. Jeremy Ryals doubled down the left field line, moved to third when Kevin Jones grounded out to second, and scored Lander's first run on a single to center by Jonathan Myers. Radley Raven followed with a single, David Walton hit an RBI single, and Ryan Roeder belted a game-tying, two-run double off the center field fence to chase St. Andrews starter Scott Adams. B.J. Horne relieved and retired the final two batters of the inning on long fly outs.

The long fly ball trend continued into the bottom of the sixth when Davis led off with his fourth homer of the season, clearing the fence in left center to give LU a 5-4 lead. The Bearcats added a single and double in the inning but had one runner caught stealing and another picked off.

St. Andrews rallied with yet another two-out rally in the eighth on a walk, wild pitch, hit batsman and three singles to take a 7-5 lead. Mehling hit a game-tying single, the go-ahead run scored on a wild pitch, and Craig drove in a run on an infield single. Tyler Addison (1-6) relieved Lander freshman starter Justin Altman after the first two batters reached in the eighth and took the loss.

After the Bearcats loaded the bases with one out and failed to score in the bottom of the eighth, St. Andrews added an insurance run in the ninth. Smith led off with a double and scored on Everett Kelly's double.

Leading hitters for St. Andrews were Mehling, 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI; Craig, 2-for-4 with three RBI; Greg Wrape, 2-for-4; Smith, 2-for-5 with a triple, double, two runs and an RBI; and Kelly, 2-for-5 with an RBI double.

Horne (4-1) got the win in relief of Adams while T.J. Chrusch earned his fourth save of the season.

Knights edge Limestone in 11 innings

April 17, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Freshman Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, NC) hit a bases loaded single through the left side of the infield to score Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) for the game-winning run in the 11th inning as the St. Andrews baseball team defeated CVAC rival Limestone 6-5 on Sunday’s ‘Senior Day’ at Clark Field.

With today’s win SAPC secured the No. 4 seed in the 2005 CVAC baseball tournament and will open up against the No. 5 seed Mount Olive Trojans on Friday at 10:00 a.m. The conference tournament takes place in Wilson, NC and the Knights first round game will be played at Nixon Field on the Barton College Athletic Complex.

Clark gave the Knights (28-20 overall, 11-9 CVAC) an early 1-0 lead with a triple down the right field line in the bottom of the third that plated Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC), who reached with a walk.

Clark extended the Knights lead to 2-0 with his second RBI of the game in the fifth. Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) led off with a walk. Kelly followed with an infield single and Wrape advanced to third on a throwing error. Clark hit into a fielders choice that drove in Wrape.

St. Andrews extended its lead to 5-0 with one run in the sixth and two in the seventh. Mark Hammonds (Polkton, NC), Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) and Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) all drove in a run.

Limestone (28-21-1/17-7) took advantage of three St. Andrews errors in the eighth and ninth inning to tie the game up with five unearned runs. The Saints scored four in the eighth after the first two batters reached on errors. Matt Craig (Lincolnton, NC) had a two-run single while Rob Boulknight (Leesville, SC) and Travis Clary (Gaffney, SC) each had one-run singles. Mitch House (Dallas, NC) tied up the game with a double in the ninth that plated Josh Izokovic (Shelby, NC), who pinch ran for Donald Wynn (Florence, SC) after reaching on a fielding error.

St. Andrews had several chances at scoring more runs with 14 runners left on base after 10 innings. However, the Knights ended the game with four consecutive singles to start the eleventh. Clark led off with an infield single; Allred followed with a shot to right; Priest loaded the bases with a bunt single; and Eastwood found the gap on the left side for the game-winner.

Freshman T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) picked up the win with 3 2/3 innings of work in relief of starter Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA). Chrusch improved to 7-5 and Mehling struck out four over 7 1/3. Josh Cochran (Goose Creek, SC) took the loss for Limestone and fell to 4-2.

The Knights finish the regular season with a non-conference game at Lander (Greenwood, SC) on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Limestone baseball sweeps St. Andrews

April 16, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—The Limestone College baseball team clinched the 2005 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference regular season title with a doubleheader sweep of host St. Andrews Presbyterian College by 3-2 and 4-0 scores on Saturday at Clark Field. The Saints, ranked ninth in the South Atlantic Region of the NCBWA poll, improved to 28-20-1 overall and 17-6 in the CVAC while the Knights fell to 27-20 and 10-9.

In game one, the Knights grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth after Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) led off with a single, advanced to third on a Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) single and a Limestone error, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC).

The Saints jumped ahead of SAPC, 2-1, with two unearned runs in the fifth. Taylor Cook (Austin, TX), who led off with a single, eventually scored on a throwing error by the Knights shortstop. Travis Clary (Gaffney, SC) drove in Limestone’s second run with a single up the middle that scored David Wise (Lincolnton, NC).

Mehling led off the sixth with a walk and advanced to third on a Wrape single. Clark tied the game up at two apiece with a single off the pitchers leg that plated Mehling.

Cook poked a hit through the left side of the infield with two outs in the top of the ninth that scored Matt Reel (Marion, NC) for the game-winning run. Reel reached with a double over the right fielder.

The Knights tried to rally with back-to-back, one-out singles by Clark and Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) in the home half of the ninth but Saint right-handed starter Jason Gold (Shelby, NC) retired the next two batters for the victory.

Gold (5-3) allowed 10 hits and two walks while striking out six in the 123-pitch complete game. Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) fell to 3-6, even though he only allowed one earned run and rung up four Saints over 9.0 innings.

Limestone kept the momentum to start the nightcap taking an early 1-0 advantage with Clary leading off the game with a double down the left field line and scoring on a single by Reel. The Sainted added three insurance runs in the third with a two-run double by Reel and an RBI single by Paul Irby (Lewisville, SC).

Kevin Pucetas (Spartanburg, SC) improved to 6-5 after going the distance allowing six hits and two walks while striking out five. Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) took his first loss of the season falling to 4-1 after allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits over 7.0 innings.

SAPC had several chances in the second game leaving nine runners on base.

Craig and Reel led the Saints with four hits apiece on the day. Wrape and Clark each had three hits for the Knights.

Sunday’s rubber game between Limestone and St. Andrews will be the Knights home finale and ‘Senior Day’. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. and the day will feature promotional events.

Knights baseball rallies past Methodist

April 6, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Junior Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) took advantage of two Monarch errors in the bottom of the ninth with a single to left field that drove in pinch runner Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) for the game-winning run as the St. Andrews baseball completed an 8-7 comeback victory over visiting Methodist at Clark Field.

The Monarchs (21-9) wasted no time getting on the board when Jonathan Spivey (Tabor City, NC) led off the game with a triple and then scoring on a single by David Hoffman (Bloomfield, MI). Methodist added four more runs in the second to take a 5-0 advantage.

Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) put the Knights (26-16) on the board by leading off the bottom of the second with his sixth home run of the season. Wrape scored St. Andrews next run in the third after singling, advancing to third on two passed balls, and scoring on a single by Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC).

Hoffman put the Monarchs back on top by five with a two-run double to right field that plated Kyle Eudy (Peachland, NC) and Matt Hunt (Lumberton, NC) in the fifth.

After Hoffman’s hit, St. Andrews righty T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) entered the game and shut down the Monarchs. Chrusch pitched 4 1/3 innings of perfect relief giving the Knights a change to make a comeback.

Smith drove in Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada) with a single in the sixth and Cliff Allred’s (Franklinville, NC) bases loaded sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the SAPC deficit to 7-4.

The Knights tied the game with three runs in the eighth. Smith reached on a catchers interference call; Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) followed with a single; Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) drove in Smith with a single; and Clark plated Mehling and Kelly with a two-run single.

St. Andrews had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth after Methodist committed two errors when Smith came up to bat and provided the game-winning heroics.

Chrusch improved to 6-4 on the mound for the Knights after retiring 13 straight that included five strike outs. Monarch closer Blake Maxwell (Hope Mills, NC) fell to 1-1 with the blown save.

The Knights travel to Banner Elk, NC, for a three-game CVAC series with Erskine College starting on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at Noon.

Kelly blasts Knights past UNC Pembroke

April 4, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Senior Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) drilled a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning, lifting the visiting Knights of St. Andrews Presbyterian College to a 6-4 win over UNC Pembroke in Tuesday afternoon non-conference baseball action. Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) allowed only one hit in 2.1 innings of relief to pick up the win, as SAPC improves to 25-16 on the season.

Sandy Jacobs took the loss for the Braves, who now stand at 23-17 overall.

UNCP got on the board first with a run in the second, but the lead was short-lived as the Knights plated two runs in the third on Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) third homer of the season.

Down 2-1, the Braves answered with two runs of their own in the third. Tripp Lockhart ripped a two-run single that put Pembroke back on top at 3-2.

It was the Knights who struck next, scoring two runs in the sixth on three hits. It would be the final inning for UNCP starter Nolan Johnson. Johnson tossed six complete, giving up four earned runs on five hits.

The Braves knotted the score at four apiece in the bottom half of the inning. Lockhart again provided the offense with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the season.

With the score tied, the stage was set for Kelly's heroics. His game-winning blast came with just one out in the eighth. Kelly leads St. Andrews with 11 homers.

Pembroke threatened in the ninth. After the first two batters reached, Justin Bowman executed a sac-bunt to advance the tying runners to second and third. SAPC then turned to Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA), who ended the threat and the game with two strikeouts en route to the save.

Lockhart led the Braves with three hits and three RBIs on the day. Hammonds paced the Knights, going 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Knights avenge a 3-1 loss to the Braves suffered earlier in the season.

St. Andrews hosts Division III power Methodist College on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Cobras hold off Knights baseball, 15-14

April 3, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—In Sunday’s rubber game that featured two hot ball clubs, both teams went on an offensive attack as visiting Coker College escaped with a 15-14 CVAC victory over St. Andrews at Clark Field.

The Cobras (21-16 overall/11-7 CVAC), who have won nine of its last 10, held off a late surge by the Knights (24-16/10-7), who have won 12 in its last 15.

Coker produced three runs in each of its first four innings to take a 12-5 lead.

St. Andrews cut into the deficit with two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth. Catcher Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) blasted a two-run homer to right-center in the fourth and first baseman Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) drilled his own two-run shot in the fifth to trim the score to 13-10.

Eric Losten (Chesapeake City, MD) led off the top of the seventh with the Cobras fifth double of the game. Conrad Deese (Pageland, SC) plated Losten with a single. Deese ended up stealing second, advancing to third on a passed ball and scoring during a double play to give Coker a 15-10 lead.

St. Andrews pulled to within one with a four spot in the eighth. With the bases loaded Andrew Hoffner (Ellicott City, MD) ripped a two-run double to center scoring Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) and Allred; Stewart Redding Laurinburg, NC) hit a RBI groundout that brought home Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada); and Marc Hammonds singled through the left side to score Hoffner.

The Knights had one last big chance in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) on first after walking, Allred connected into what looked to be a walk-off two run homer down the left field line but was called foul. Cobra pitcher Brian Nally (Highland Heights, OH) would hang in and strike out Allred looking to end the game.

Larry Morris (Earleville, MD) was credited with the win after going 4 1/3 and striking out four. Morris improved to 2-3 while Nally earned his first save of the season. Knights’ starter Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) fell to 2-5.

Losten and Deese led the Coker attack with four hits apiece. Deese had four RBI and Losten scored three times. Ben Kershner (Wellington, CO) and T.J. Dawson (Conway, SC) both chipped in with three hits.

Hammonds and Clark each had a team-high three hits for the Knights. Allred, Wrape and Redding all had multiple hit games.

The Knights visit UNC Pembroke for a non-conference battle on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and return home on Wednesday as they host Methodist at 3:00 p.m.

Diamond Knights split double dip with Coker

April 2, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—The St. Andrews baseball team connected for 31 hits during Saturday’s Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference twinbill against visiting Coker College (20-16 overall/10-7 CVAC), but had to settle for a split after dropping the first game 12-9. The Knights (24-15/10-6), who are ranked ninth in the NCBWA South Atlantic Regional Poll, bounced back with an 11-3 victory in the nightcap.

SAPC took an early 4-0 lead in the first game with four unearned runs in the first inning. Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) and Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) provided RBI doubles and Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) drilled a two-run triple past the diving left fielder.

A T.J. Dawson (Conway, SC) sacrifice fly and a Dustin Dockter (Columbia, SC) RBI single cut the Coker deficit in half in the second. Brian Nally (Highland Heights, OH) tied everything at four apiece with a two-run homer to left in the third and three batters later Justin Sims (Westville, NJ) drilled his own two-run homer to right-center give the Cobras the lead. Coker added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a commanding 9-4 lead.

The Knights did not give in and Allred smacked his fourth home run of the season in the seventh, a towering two-run shot down the left field line. St. Andrews completed the comeback in the eighth with three more runs on a double by Clark that scored Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) and a bases-loaded double by Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) that plated Clark and Allred.

Sims once again put Coker on top in the ninth with a two-out double in the left-center gap that drove in Nally and Dawson. Sims would then score on a single by Brantley Bell (Lithonia, GA).

Blake Miller (Greenwood, SC) improved to 4-0 in relief of starter Brad Boob (Charlotte, NC). Knight T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) fell to 5-4 after taking the loss.

Once again St. Andrews took a 4-0 lead in second game, but this time they would never relinquish the lead. B.J. Horne supplied the first four runs with a two-run single in the third and a two-run double in the fourth.

The Knights held a 7-0 advantage before Coker scored its three unearned runs in the sixth. St. Andrews retaliated with three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth and coasted to the 11-3 victory.

Brad Smith improved to 3-0 after scattering seven hits and three runs over 5 1/3 while striking out two. Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) earned his second save of the season after coming in and ending the Cobra threat in the sixth.

The two teams meet tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the rubber game of the series.

Knights baseball rallies past #9 Francis Marion

March 29, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Junior first baseman Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) belted a bases loaded, two-out single to right-center that scored Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) and Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) for the game-winning runs as the St. Andrews baseball team defeated No. 9 nationally ranked Francis Marion 6-5 Tuesday at Clark Field.

The Knights, who have won 11 of its last 12 games, improved to 23-14 while the Patriots dropped three straight and hold a 21-10-1 mark.

SAPC jumped on top posting three runs in the bottom of the first. With the bases full Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) singled to score Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC). Sophomore catcher Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) followed with a single in the right field gap that plated Mehling and Wrape.

Francis Marion cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third on a single by Quentin Davis (Darlington, SC) that drove in Omar Quiles (Naranjito, Puerto Rico) and an ensuing fielding error that allowed Jason Weaver (Lake City, SC) to score.

Davis put the Patriots on top with his fourth homer of the season, a two-run blast to right field in the fifth.

Smith knotted everything at four apiece with a single in the bottom of the fifth that scored Hammonds, who led off with a double.

FMU regained a one-run lead in the seventh as Brian McFadden (Scranton, SC) led off with a triple to right-center and Stan Markle (Manning, SC) followed with a single up the middle that drove in McFadden.

Patriot lefty Lee Tabor (Manning, SC) came in for the two-inning save and retired the Knights without allowing a hit in the eighth. However, after striking out the first batter of the ninth Hammonds ripped a double off Tabor to start the St. Andrews rally.

Tabor still looked in control by striking out the next batter but then allowed two consecutive walks to Mehling and Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC). Wrape fell behind 0-2 before ripping the game-winning single over the second baseman’s reach that brought home Hammonds and Mehling.

Junior Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) threw a 121-pitch complete game to remain perfect at 6-0 for St. Andrews. Tabor fell to 6-3.

The Knights take on No. 22 Armstrong Atlantic on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in neutral Florence, SC, while the Patriots visit Limestone tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Knights blast past North Greenville

March 26, 2005

TIGERVILLE, SC—Senior shortstop Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) ripped three home runs in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader to lead the St. Andrews baseball team to 24-6 and 9-7 victories over host North Greenville College.

Kelly finished the first game going 4-for-4 with five runs, seven RBI and two walks.

The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back. SAPC led 10-3 before posting eight runs in the sixth. Kelly led the inning with a solo blast and finished the scoring with a three-run blast. Kelly leads the Knights with 10 home runs on the season.

Junior Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) drove in four runs and scored four times. Junior Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) and sophomore’s Kelly Russell (New London, NC) and Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) each had three hits. Both Russell and sophomore Josh Craig (Lombardy, ON, Canada) plated two Knights.

Freshman starter B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) improved to 2-1 after allowing five runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. Horne struck out two Crusaders and Kelly and Caeland Garner (Ramseur, NC) each pitched an inning of effective relief.

Freshman Andrew Hoffner (Ellicott City, MD) hit his first collegiate home run, a two-run shot, in the second inning of game two to put St. Andrews on top 3-0.

The Knights extended the lead to 8-1 with five runs in the fifth on six hits including doubles by sophomore Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) and Hoffner.

North Greenville slowly chipped away at the St. Andrews’ lead and a three-run homer by Stephen Smith in the bottom of the seventh cut the deficit to 9-7. However, freshman T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) struck out the next Crusader to end the game.

Sophomore Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) improved to 3-5 with his second straight win. Curley had three K’s over 5 1/3 and Chrusch earned his third save.

Craig had his 10-game hit streak come to an end in the second game but did walk twice.

The Knights visit Catawba College (Salisbury, NC) for a rescheduled game on Monday at 3:00 p.m.

Knights complete perfect 8-0 home stand

March 25, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Sophomore second baseman Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada) extended his hitting streak to nine games on Friday helping the St. Andrews baseball team win its eighth straight contest, a 3-1 victory over visiting Tufts University (Mass.) at Clark Field.

The Knights improved to 20-13 while the Jumbos fell to 3-4.

St. Andrews jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first after junior Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) scored from first base on a throwing error. Junior Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) made it 2-0 after leading off the fourth with a single. Clark advanced to third on a single by Craig and scored during a pickoff rundown at first.

Tufts scored its only run in the fifth to cut the deficit to 2-1 on a double down the left field line by Jeff Volinski (Andover, MA) that plated Kyle Backstrom (Worcester, MA).

The Knights added an insurance run in the sixth. Senior shortstop Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) led off with a single and advanced to second on a balk. Clark drove in Kelly with a single to right.

Freshman right hander Jeff Shelton (Colonial Heights, VA) held the Jumbo’s to one run on six hits in over six innings of work and improved to 3-0. Kelly earned his first save after replacing Shelton in the eighth and retiring six of seven batters.

Zak Smotherman (Westborough, MA) took the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out five.

Clark and Kelly led St. Andrews with three and two hits, respectively. Craig has gone 15-for-31 (.484) in his nine-game hitting streak with 10 runs, eight RBI and five doubles.

The Knights travel to Tigerville, SC, for a doubleheader with North Greenville College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Knights on 5-game win streak after defeating Crusaders

March 23, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Junior Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) capped a nine-run sixth inning for the St. Andrews baseball team with a grand slam to help the Knights defeat CVAC rival Belmont Abbey 13-8 Wednesday at Clark Field.

SAPC (17-13 overall, 7-5 CVAC) had to work extra hard to win its fifth straight game after prepping the field all day because of heavy rains on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The game started 30-minutes late before the Knights improved to 10-2 at home.

St. Andrew jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first and one in the second. Junior Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA), who was named the CVAC Player of the Week on Tuesday, had an RBI single in the first and senior Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) ripped a double in the second that plated sophomore Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada).

Belmont Abbey rallied and grabbed a 7-3 advantage after scoring four in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth. The Crusaders four spot came on a three-run blast by Alex Udwari (Silver Spring, MD) and a solo shot by Seth Waller (Salisbury, NC). Seniors’ Ian Gibson (Belmont, NC) and Chris Brake (Clemmons, NC) had RBI singles in the fifth.

Clark started the nine-run rally for the Knights with a lead-off single in the sixth. Sophomore catcher Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) followed with his third home run of the season, a two-run rocket to left field that cut the deficit in half. Craig and Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) singled and Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) loaded the bases after laying down a sacrifice bunt and reaching on an error. The Knights took the lead on an RBI walk by Mehling and run producing singles by Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) and Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC). Clark emptied the bases with a grand slam to right-center.

The teams swapped runs in the eighth on a double by Abbey’s Patrick Atwell (China Grove, NC) and St. Andrews’ Craig.

Junior transfer Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) preserved the 13-8 win for the Knights to pick up his first save of the season. Freshman B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) earned his first collegiate win in relief of starter Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA). Horne is 1-1 on the season.

Michael Rue (Denver, NC) dropped to 1-3 for Belmont Abbey.

The two teams finish the regular season series with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon at Noon.

Knights Mehling named CVAC Player of the Week

March 23, 2005

THOMASVILLE, NC—Anthony Mehling of St. Andrews Presbyterian College (16-13 overall, 6-5 CVAC) has been selected as the NCAA Division II Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference (CVAC) baseball Player of the Week.

Junior Anthony Mehling batted a team-high .583 this week helping St. Andrews to three consecutive wins. Mehling secured the Knights perfect 4-0 week with a strong eight-inning performance from the mound on Sunday.

Mehling started the week with three hits, two runs and an RBI in SAPC’s 7-6 victory over Bryant. Mehling scored the game-winning run in the ninth after leading off with a double. The Pottsville, PA native had an RBI single in the Knights 6-5 opening victory against Barton and had three more hits in the nightcap helping St. Andrews to a 7-5 win. Mehling scored twice and drove in one run in the second game.

Mehling was taken out of the lineup on Sunday so he could concentrate on pitching and he came through with eight effective innings as the Knights cruised to a 10-2 win. Mehling had six strikeouts and only allowed two runs on six hits.

Knights complete weekend sweep of Barton

March 20, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—The St. Andrews baseball team had a strong pitching performance by Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) and scored 10 runs on 12 hits as the Knights (16-13, 6-5) took Sunday’s finale 10-2 over CVAC rival Barton (13-20, 6-9) at Clark Field.

St. Andrews took advantage of a two-out hit batsman in the third to grab an early 1-0 lead. After being plunked, senior Marc Hammonds ( Polkton, NC) advanced to third on two wild pitches and scored on a single to right field by junior Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC).

Bulldog senior catcher Dennis Blackmon (Clayton, NC) tied the game up at one apiece with single up the middle that plated Tyler Petty ( Rocky Mount, NC).

The Knights regained the lead on a two-run blast over the right-center field wall by junior Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) in the bottom of the fourth. Wrape has for four homers on the season.

Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) and Smith extended the Knights lead to 5-1 with RBI singles in the fifth and sixth.

Barton trimmed the deficit to 5-2 on a Will Walmsley (Lexington, NC) ground out that drove in Wes Miller (Virginia Beach, VA). It would be the Bulldogs last run. Blackmon and Kevin Brosseau (Winooski, VT) each finished with two hits.

SAPC pulled away with five runs in the bottom of the seventh. Wrape started everything with a triple and scored on a single by Priest; Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) and Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada) walked to load the bases; Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) drove in Priest with a single to center; and a two-run single by Hammonds and a throwing error allowed Allred, Craig and Redding to cross home.

Mehling (2-3) earned the win on the mound allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six over eight innings of work. Starter Kelly Stracke (Cary, NC) fell to 2-3 after allowing four runs on five hits in 4 1/3.

The Knights look to improve on its season best four-game win streak when they host CVAC foe Belmont Abbey on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

Knights baseball sweeps CVAC twinbill over Barton

March 19, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Senior outfielder Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) blasted a two-run, walk-off homer in the first extra inning of Saturday’s second game as the St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference foe Barton College at Clark Field.

The Knights (15-13 overall, 5-5 CVAC) have won three straight with junior transfer Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) earning the winning in relief in all three outings.

With the first game deadlocked at one apiece, St. Andrews posted three runs in the fourth during a two-out rally that featured four consecutive hits to make it 4-1. Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) and Josh Craig (Lombardy, Ontario, Canada) both doubled.

Barton (13-19, 6-8) responded with two runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Tyler Petty (Rocky Mount, NC) and Eric McInerny (Cape Carteret, NC).

Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) extended the Knights lead to 5-3 with single up the middle that plated Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC), who led off with a double to left-center.

The Bulldogs chipped away at the lead with an unearned run in the sixth and a Justin Wilkes (Snow Hill, NC) RBI single in the eighth knotted everything at 5-5.

Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) put SAPC on top for good with a solo homer down the left field line.

Adams held the Bulldogs scoreless in the ninth for the win. Starter Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out five. Barton reliever Glenn Jones (Mount Pleasant, NC) took the loss.

The Knights kept the momentum to start the second game and Clark ripped a two-run double down the left field line to give St. Andrews an early 3-0 lead.

Bulldog Wes Miller (Virginia Beach, VA) trimmed the deficit to 3-2 with a two-run double to in top of the fourth but St. Andrews regained its three-run lead with a two-run triple by Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) in the bottom half.

With two outs in the fifth, Knights starter Brad Smith was pulled after walking two straight batters. McInerny did not let the substitution affect him as he drilled a game-tying, three-run homer to left field.

Barton looked poised to take the lead in the seven with the bases loaded and one out, however, Mehling caught the Bulldogs second out in right field and kept the go-ahead runner on third with a laser throw to the catcher. Adams ended the threat with a strikeout.

Craig led off the bottom of the eighth with a single before Hammonds crushed the game-winner over the left-center wall. It was Hammonds’ second home run of the season and his fifth hit of the day.

The two teams complete the weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Knights baseball survives against Bryant

March 15, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Junior designated hitter Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) hit a towing pop-fly in the bottom of the ninth that found an open spot between the pitcher and catcher to drive in the game-winning run for St. Andrews in a 7-6 victory over visiting Bryant College (Rhode Island) Tuesday at Clark Field.

Junior rightfielder Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) led off the inning with a double and was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior shortstop Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC). The Bulldogs looked like they were going to survive the scare after recording the second out and getting Clark to hit a seemingly harmless pop-up. However, there was some confusion between the pitcher, first baseman and catcher on who should make the catch and the ball landed 10 feet in front of home plate as Mehling scored.

The Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead after four innings on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) and an RBI fielders choice by junior Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC).

Bryant knotted everything at two apiece in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Mickey Ryan (Lowell, MA) and Mike Rocco (Tewksbury, MA).

St. Andrews quickly answered with four runs in the bottom half of the seventh. Senior centerfielder Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) ripped a three-run homer down the left field line. It was Hammonds’ first digger of the season.

The Bulldogs did not cave in and rallied with four runs of its own in the eighth. With the bases loaded and two outs Adam Rourke (Rowley, MA) drove in the first run with a single off the pitchers glove. Ryan’s walk plated the next run and Rocco tied everything at 6-6 with a two-run single through the left-side of the infield.

Bryant had a chance to take the lead after a hit batsman loaded the bases again, but junior righty Scott Adams (Vernon Hills, VA) froze the next Bulldog hitter for the strikeout to end the threat.

Adams (2-0) picked up the win in relief of freshmen B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) and T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA). Horne allowed eight hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings while striking out three in the start.

Ben Conn (Holden, MA) took the loss for Bryant. Jason Alexander (Simsbury, CT) has four hits.

St. Andrews posts a 13-13 mark with five of the wins coming on its last at bat or in extra innings. The Bulldogs fell to 3-4.

The Knights hosts No. 13 nationally ranked Francis Marion University tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Redding completes Knights comeback over Catawba

March 2, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Senior outfielder Stewart Redding’s (Laurinburg, NC) two-out single in the bottom of the 11 th drove in Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) for the game-winning run as the St. Andrews baseball team defeated visiting Catawba College, 3-2, Wednesday at Clark Field.

The Knights snapped a three-game losing steak and improved to 8-9 while the Indians, ranked eighth in the South Region of the NCBWA Division II poll, fell to 12-9.

The game started out as a pitchers duel between St. Andrews freshman right hander B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) and Catawba sophomore southpaw Paul Link (Cleveland, NC).

Link allowed only two hits in his first five innings of work before walking the Knights leadoff hitter Ritchie Priest (Elizabethtown, NC) in the sixth. Priest stole second and scored on a two-out Mehling single to left field.

Horne seemed in control retiring 18 of the first 20 Indians batters but the 1-0 lead was short lived. Matt Baker (Charlotte, NC) led off the Indian seventh with a single and Jimbo Davis (Salisbury, NC) followed with a two-run homer around the right-field foul poll.

The Knights tied everything at two apiece in the bottom half of the seventh. Redding and Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) started the rally with one-out singles to put base runners on the corners and Brad Smith drove in Redding with a fielder’s choice.

The contest remained deadlocked at two until the bottom of the 11 th. Mehling led off with a walk and was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC).

The Indians got the second out but Redding came through with his third single of the game. The base hit was deep enough to bring Mehling home from second without a throw by the right fielder.

Reliever T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) picked up his third win of the season after pitching 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for Horne. Chrusch allowed one hit and two walks while Zach Evans (Greensboro, NC) took the loss. Chrusch and Evans each had seven strikeouts.

The Knights visit CVAC rival Pfeiffer University for a three-game weekend series with Saturday’s doubleheader starting at Noon and Sunday’s finale slated for 1:00 p.m.

Diamond Knights smoke ECSU in double dip

February 23, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team connected for 28 hits in Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep over visiting Elizabeth City State University on Clark Field. The Knights won the first game 13-2 and took the nightcap 15-6 to jump over .500 at 7-6 while the Vikings fell to 1-10.

The Vikings posted an early 1-0 lead in the first game with two consecutive hits down the left field line. Carlos Gutierrez (Bronx, NY) started the two-out rally in the first with a double and then scored on a Jami Moore (Reidsville, NC) single.

A bases loaded single by the Knights sophomore catcher Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) in the second plated senior Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) and junior Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC), putting SAPC on top 2-1.

ECSU scored an unearned run in the third to knot everything at two apiece.

The Knights took control in the bottom half of the third with four runs. Sophomore Josh Craig (Lombardy, ON, Canada) ripped a RBI single to center and Allred blasted his first home run of the season, a three-run shot to left.

St. Andrews added seven runs in the fourth on six hits and three walks to take the first game 13-2. Allred led the Knights going 3-for-3 with six runs batted in.

Smith picked (1-0) up the win in his first appearance of the year going four inning, scattering five hits, allowing one earned run and striking out three. Freshman B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) earned the save with three innings of effective relief.

The Knights kept the momentum to start the second game with four runs in the first including Horne’s second homer of the season. Senior Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC), Redding and Craig all drove in runs that inning.

A Gutierrez single in the third put the Vikings on the board, 4-1.

Kelly crushed his third home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the third and Craig extended the SAPC lead to 6-1 with a sacrifice fly. ECSU tallied four runs in top of the fourth to cut the Viking deficit to 6-5 but watched the Knights answer back with eight runs in the bottom half and as they cruised to the 15-6 victory.

Senior Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) led the Knights with four hits in the finale. Craig, Redding and Kelly all had three RBI while senior Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) and freshman Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) each scored three times.

Victor Branch (Burgaw, NC) led the Vikings with three hits, three runs and two RBI.

Freshman T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) improved to 2-0 in relief of starter Matt Yates (Vinton, VA). Yates struck out five and Chrusch fanned two.

The Knights visit CVAC rival Mount Olive for a three-game weekend series with Saturday’s doubleheader starting at Noon and Sunday’s finale slated for 1:00 p.m.

Baseball splits opening CVAC twinbill at Anderson

February 19, 2005

ANDERSON, SC—Ryan Curley scattered nine hits and Everett Kelly drove in three runs to lead St. Andrews Presbyterian College to an 8-3 victory in the seven-inning second game and a split of a CVAC doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

In the first game, Anderson banged out 21 hits on its way to a 17-2 victory over St. Andrews.

Anderson catcher Clint Neville led Anderson’s offense in the first game with three hits in three trips, two RBI, and four runs scored. Neville had two doubles and a triple. Jonathan Pitts and Cody Nye also had three hits apiece for Anderson. Pitts drove in two runs and scored three runs.

Thirteen Anderson players had at least one hit in the first game.

Anderson, 4-8 overall and 1-1 in the CVAC, received another strong pitching performance from sophomore Desmond Robson, who allowed just one run and three hits in seven innings. Robson struck out five and walked just one. In four appearances this season, Robson (2-0) has allowed just three earned runs in 22 innings.

The Trojans jumped on the Knights by scoring seven times in the first inning. The big hits in the inning were a two-run trip by Neville and run-scoring singles by Pitts and Nye.

Anderson put the game away with five more runs in the fifth for a 14-0 lead. Donavon Schmidt hit a three-run homer in the fifth for Anderson.

St. Andrews, 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the CVAC, bounced back in the second game behind Curley.

The Knights took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-out, two-run single by Greg Wrape, who also hit a solo homer in the first game.

Anderson answered in the home half of the first on a RBI triple by Neville and a run-scoring single by F.A. Vildosola.

A two-run single in the third by Kelly gave the Knights a 4-2 lead, and an RBI single by Marc Hammonds in the fifth increased the St. Andrews lead to 5-2.

After surrendering two runs and three hits in the first inning, Curley settled down and allowed just six hits and one run in the final six innings. Curley struck out four and walked one.

The two teams will complete the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m.

Horne provides extra innings heroics, twice!

February 12, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Freshman B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) hit a walk off two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the St. Andrews baseball team a 9-7 game-one win over North Carolina Wesleyan. Horne followed the act up with a game-winning sacrifice fly in extra innings in the finale to give the Knights a 7-6 come-from-behind victory and a sweep of the Battling Bishops.

SAPC (4-4) scored two clutch runs in the bottom of the seventh in both games to set up Horne’s heroics. NC Wesleyan (3-2) was undefeated coming into today’s games.

The Knights had a late 5-4 lead in the first game but gave up three runs in the top of the seventh. Mark Wooten highlighted the inning with a two-run triple in the right-center gap.

Trailing 7-5 in the bottom half of the inning, pinch hitter Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC) led off the inning with a double. Down to their last out senior shortstop Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) tied the game up with a two-run blast to right field. The Knights kept the momentum into the bottom of the eighth and after a Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) walk; Horne drilled the game-winner to left field. First baseman Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC) also hit a two-run homer for the Knights.

Freshman T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) picked up his first collegiate win in relief of starting pitcher Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA). Both Chrusch and Mehling had three strikeouts.

Matt Smith led of the second game with a solo shot to give the Bishops an early 1-0 lead. Ryan Snyder extended the advantage to 2-0 with a gigantic blast to dead center in the fourth.

St. Andrews trailed 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth before Kelly hit his second homer of the day, a deep shot to center. NC Wesleyan quickly answered with two runs in the sixth, including an RBI triple by Ray’Mon Bizzell, extending the lead to 6-2.

Knight Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, NC) led off the bottom of the sixth with his first collegiate home run and Wrape made it a 6-4 deficit after walking and scoring on a wild pitch. Once again St. Andrews found itself trailing by two with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Allred walked and Eastwood singled down the left field line setting up a game-tying two-run double to right field by Wrape.

Kelly and Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) walked and Josh Craig (Lombardy, ON, Canada) reached on a Bishop error to load up the bases with one out. Horne hit a fly ball to right field that was just deep enough to tag up Kelly for the victory.

Jeff Shelton (Colonial Heights, VA) improved to 2-0 with 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief for Matt Yates (Vinton, VA).

Scott Faison (1-2) took the loss for NC Wesleyan in both games.

The Knights travel to Salisbury, NC, for a 6:00 p.m. meeting with Catawba College on Tuesday.

SAPC vs. Francis Marion baseball postponed

February 9, 2005

FLORENCE, SC—Due to rain that passed through the Florence area early Wednesday morning and the threat of more precipitation later in the day, the baseball game between Francis Marion University and St. Andrews Presbyterian College scheduled for Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 9) has been postponed.

The game will now be played Thursday afternoon (Feb. 10) at 3:00 p.m. on FMU's Cormell Field.

The Knights are 2-3, while FMU is 3-0.

St. Andrews’ will host a non-conference doubleheader against NC Wesleyan at 12 Noon Saturday.

Diamond Knights defeat Presbyterian, 5-3

February 6, 2005

CLINTON, SC—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the first five innings and then held on for a 5-3 victory in the rubber game of its weekend series with Presbyterian College Sunday afternoon at the PC baseball complex.

The Knights (2-3) jumped on the board in the second inning when Brandon Lewis (Stanfield, NC) doubled to left-center and scored on a Josh Craig (Lombardy, ON, Canada) double to left.

St. Andrews added two more in the fourth on singles by Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) and Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC).

After allowing a single run in the top of the fifth, the Blue Hose (1-2) jumped on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth.

With two outs, Evan Sowell (Chesterfield, SC) singled to right. Casey Carlson (Lexington, SC) then singled to center and stole second on the next pitch. Donald Sheppard (Sylvania, GA) ripped another single to left to score Sowell and Carlson.

St. Andrews added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and PC added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but could not mount a rally to tie it up.

Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) earned the victory on the mound for St. Andrews, allowing three runs, two earned, and nine hits over six and one-thirds innings. T. J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) pitched two and two-thirds innings of one-hit ball to pick up the save. Zach Matthews (Batesburg, SC) took the loss for PC.

Lewis led the Knights at the plate with three doubles, while Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC) and Redding added two hits apiece. Carlson, Sheppard, Sowell, and Matt Bodie (Aiken, SC) all had two hits for the Blue Hose.

SAPC returns to action on Wednesday as they travel to Florence, SC for a single game against Francis Marion University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Knights earn doubleheader split

February 5, 2005

CLINTON, SC—The St. Andrews baseball team earned a split against host Presbyterian College on Saturday afternoon, losing the first game 9-8 before picking up its first win of the season, 7-6, in the nightcap.

In the first game, the Blue Hose (1-1) held a 7-6 lead heading into the top of the ninth, but the Knights (1-3) scored two runs to take the lead.

Josh Craig (Lombardy, ON, Canada) singled to start off the inning and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Stewart Redding (Laurinburg, NC) then doubled to right-center field to score Craig and knot the score at 7. Cliff Allred (Franklinville, NC) then stepped up and drilled a double to center to score Redding and give the Knights a one-run lead.

The Blue Hose won it in the bottom of the ninth when Andrew Cockerham reached first on a passed ball after a strikeout and scored on a Jake Lunnen single to right. Pinch runner Nick Hoffner scored the winning run on a single by pinch hitter Lance Howard.

Cockerham led PC with three hits and three runs scored, while Lunnen and Casey Carlson added two hits apiece. Redding led St. Andrews with three hits, while Brad Smith (Riegalwood, NC), Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC), Craig and Marc Hammonds (Polkton, NC) all had two hits.

Dan Stankus picked up the win on the mound for the Blue Hose. Matt Yates (Vinton, Va.) took the loss for the Knights.

In the nightcap, PC jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after the first inning, highlighted by a two-run homerun by Robert Rodebaugh, but the Knights scored six runs in the top of the fourth to take control of the game.

The Blue Hose attempted to tie it up in the bottom of the seventh, but St.Andrews pitcher T.J. Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) got a strikeout to end the game.

Kelly led St. Andrews with four hits and three RBI’s. Redding paced the Knights with three hits and Redding finished with two.

Jeff Shelton (Coloniel Heights, VA) picked up the win on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing only two runs. Jim Wagers took the loss for PC.

The two teams will meet again on Sunday for a single game at 1:00 p.m.

UNCP edges Knights baseball, 3-1

February 2, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—Sophomore left-hander Ryan Curley (Emmaus, PA) pitched a complete game for the St. Andrews baseball team on Wednesday, but it not enough as visiting UNC Pembroke defeated the Knights 3-1 at Clark Field.

The Braves (2-0) scored all three of its unearned runs in the top of the second. Jason Morales (Fayetteville, NC) led off with a single and Chris Beck (Havelock, NC) followed reaching on an error. With one out Nolan Johnson walked to load the bases with Braves. Aaron Perkins (Leland, NC) drove in Morales with a fielder’s choice and Beck scored on the Knights second error of the inning. Zach Conaway (Walnut Cove, NC) finished the scoring for UNCP with a double to right field that drove in Perkins.

The Knights (0-2) had several chances to come back leaving eight runners on base. Brandon Lewis (Stanfield, NC) finally put St. Andrews on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Everett Kelly (Wilmington, NC).

Tyson Van Dam (Oak Harbor, WA) picked up the win allowing seven hits and one walk in six innings of work. Sandy Jacobs (Pembroke, NC) recorded his first save of the season with a perfect ninth.

Curley threw 117 pitches in his complete game and allowed five hits, two walks and no earned runs while striking out five. Brad Smith (Riegelwood, NC) led the Knights offensively with three hits.

The Knights travel to Clinton, SC, for a weekend series with Presbyterian College. Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 12 noon and first pitch for Sunday’s finale is slated for 1:00 p.m.

Knights’ baseball drops season opener to Lander, 5-0

February 1, 2005

LAURINBURG, NC—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College baseball team was only able to muster up four hits against Lander University, who is ranked No. 32 in the 2005 Preseason Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II Poll, losing its season opener 5-0 Tuesday at Clark Field.

Anthony Mehling (Pottsville, PA) pitched four scoreless innings for the Knights (0-1) before giving up a solo home run to designated hitter Walter Cochrane (Belmont, OH) in the top of the fifth to start the scoring Ryan Roeder (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) scored the Bearcats (1-0) second run on a groundout in the same inning after walking and stealing second.

Roeder crossed home plate again in the seventh inning to give Lander a 3-0 lead. Adam Hutchins (Kernersville, NC) and Radley Raven (Tacoma, WA) tacked on insurance runs for the Bearcats in the ninth with RBI singles.

Starter David Wilson (Gray Court, SC) picked up the win for Lander pitching five innings and allowing two hits and striking out six. Mehling had six strikeouts for the Knights in his six innings of work.

Hutchins led the Bearcats with two hits and two RBI. Roeder went 1-for-2 with three runs scored.

Four different Knights got hits including a double by Will Clark (Laurinburg, NC).

St. Andrews hosts UNC Pembroke on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

SAPC Baseball Picked 6th in Preseason CVAC Poll

January 26, 2005

THOMASVILLE , NC — The St. Andrews baseball team has been picked sixth in the 2005 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Preseason Poll as voted upon by the head coaches. Preseason All-CVAC Team members were also selected with Will Clark and Everett Kelly making the team for the Knights.

Third year head coach Bobby Simmons will guide the Knights, who are coming off a 25-27 overall and 11-12 CVAC season in 2004. St. Andrews finished fifth in the league’s 2004 regular season and made a charge in the CVAC tournament finishing in third place. The Knights return 14 lettermen and add 10 freshman and three junior college transfers. Junior Will Clark made the Preseason All-CVAC team at second base after batting .412 last season in 49 games with 33 extra base hits, 59 runs, 38 RBI, .681 slugging and .469 on-base percentage. Senior Everett Kelly made the team at third base with a .376 average in all 52 games for the Knights. Kelly had 45 runs, 43 RBI, 14 doubles, five home runs, .526 slugging % and .452 on-base percentage.

Defending Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference champion Mount Olive posted a 37-15 record in 2004, marking the eighth time in the last nine years the Trojans have won either the CVAC regular season or tournament championship and placing them on top of this years CVAC coaches’ preseason poll. Mount Olive was ranked in the top four in the South Atlantic Region throughout the year and appeared to be headed towards the NCAA DII regional, but the Trojans got bumped out of the top four a week after winning the CVAC Tournament and did not receive a bid. Mount Olive returns a pair of left-handed starting pitchers, including All-CVAC First Team selection Brian Corbett, who posted a 5-1 record with a 4.12 earned run average in 2004. The senior was a two-time CVAC Pitcher of the Week winner. Also returning is junior Weston Curles, who ranked No. 30 in the nation with a 2.36 ERA. Curles posted a complete game victory in last year’s CVAC Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Senior Jonathan Pullen and sophomore Stephen Nordan both hit over .300 last year, while junior first baseman Matt Rickard provided late season offensive punch for the Trojans. Defensively, the Trojans will have to find replacements for two outfield positions, the middle infield and behind the plate.

Pfeiffer University was chosen in the 2 nd slot for the coaches’ preseason poll. The Falcons are coming off a successful 2004 campaign in which they won the regular season championship. After finishing second in the CVAC conference tournament, the Falcons had a ranking of #2 in the South Atlantic Region. Pfeiffer finished the year with a 41-14 record and a #15 national ranking. First year Head Coach Mark Hayes will look for hot hitting from returning starters Jamie Tucker (.386, 15 HR, 61 RBI) and Brian York (.398, 18 HR, 70 RBI) who were 2004 First Team All-Conference and All-Region selections. The Falcons will also return six pitchers that saw action last year. They will be led by Greg Tucker (8-4), who was a 2004 2 nd Team All- CVAC member, and Spencer Anthony (6-0).

The Barton College Bulldogs return seven position starters and their entire pitching staff from a 27-26 team that finished fourth in the CVAC regular season in 2004 to place them in the third position in the preseason poll. Head Coach Todd Wilkinson begins his 13 th season at the helm for the Bulldogs with a lineup that features a bevy of great hitters, led by All-American Dennis Blackmon, who belted a school-record 24 home runs last season and set numerous other school single-season and career records. If the veteran pitchers can blend with the newcomers to provide leadership on the mound, and the defense plays solid, Barton could make a run for the 2005 conference title. "We have a veteran, powerful offense," Wilkinson said. "We return 54 of our 73 home runs from last season, as well as our top seven hitters. Our defense was improved in 2004 and our pitching staff is now battle-tested, so we should be even better in 2005."

Rounding out the baseball preseason poll 4-9 is: Erskine, Coker, St. Andrews, Anderson, Limestone, and Belmont Abbey respectively.

CVAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Mount Olive College (5) 61
2. Pfeiffer University (1) 54
3. Barton College (3) 48
4. Erskine College 37
5. Coker College 35
6. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 29
7. Anderson College 26
8. Limestone College 25
9. Belmont Abbey College 9  

2005 Pre-Season All-CVAC

Mitch House, Limestone-1B
Will Clark, St. Andrews - 2B
Brian York, Pfeiffer - SS
Everett Kelly, St. Andrews - 3B
Dennis Blackmon, Barton - C
Casey Smith, Erskine – DH
Eric McInerny, Barton-Utility
Robbie Knapp, Erskine - OF
Jamie Tucker, Pfeiffer – OF
Tyler Petty, Barton - OF
Caleb Owen, Anderson - OF
Brian Corbett, Mount Olive – P
Greg Tucker, Pfeiffer - P
Josh Cochran, Limestone - Relief Pitcher

Player of the Year
Dennis Blackmon, Barton
Pitcher of the Year
Brian Corbett, Mount Olive
Co-Freshman of the Year
Michael Raymond, Belmont Abbey
Brad Boob, Coker

Knights Baseball Recruits Announced

LAURINBURG, NC— St. Andrews Presbyterian College head baseball coach Bobby Simmons has announced the addition of 14 new student-athletes to the 2005 Knights roster. The new class has 12 freshman and two transfers including four pitchers, four infielders, two outfielders and four pitchers/infielders.

Ryan Kirkman (Liberty, NC) – Ryan is a 6-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher/infielder from Eastern Randolph High School. From the mound Kirkman had an 8-2 record with a 1.26 ERA, 66 strikeouts, one save while allowing 21 walks in 61 2/3 innings of work. Offensively, Ryan hit .420 with six doubles, four triples, six homeruns, 32 RBI and 33 runs. Kirkman was his teams MVP, Tri-County 3A Conference Player of the Year, Randolph County Courier-Tribune Player of the Year, First Team All-Area and All-State 3A Team.

Andrew Hoffner (Ellicott City, MD) – Andrew is a 5-11, 180-pound, right-handed outfielder from Mt. Hebron High School. Hoffner batted .313 with a .567 slugging and a .452 on-base percentage. Andrew had five doubles, four homeruns, 16 RBI, nine steals and 17 walks while providing four assists and zero errors in 21 games from the outfield. Hoffner was his team’s MVP, the Washington Post’s First Team All-County, the Howard County Times’ First Team All-County and the Baltimore Sun’s Second Team All-County.

Michael Eastwood (Grantsboro, NC) – Michael is a 5-8, 145-pound, right-handed infielder from Pamlico High School. Eastwood hit an impressive .464, with a .541 on-base percentage and 12 doubles, four triples, six homers, 31 RBI, 14 walks and 20 steals. Michael was a North Carolina 1A All-State Selection.

Terry Chrusch (Fleetwood, PA) – Terry is a 6-3, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher from Brandywine Heights High School. Chrusch had a 6-1 record with a 1.25 ERA (seven earned runs) in 42 innings of work, striking out 72 while only walking 14. Terry was a three-time team MVP and All-Division player and a two-time All-Berks County selection. Chrusch had one complete game no-hitter.

Matt Yates (Vinton, VA) – Matt is a 5-10, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher from William Byrd High School. Yates pitched in five games last season with a 3-0 record with a 3.33 ERA (10 earned runs). Matt struck out 27 batters in only 27 innings while walking seven.

Matt Colgan (Carbondale, PA) – Matt is a 6-0, 195-pound, left-handed batting infielder from Carbondale Area High School. Colgan hit .511 with a staggering .777 slugging percentage. Colgan had five doubles, two homeruns, 14 RBI and 13 walks.

Scott Adams (Vernon Hill, VA) – Scott is a 6-0, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher that transferred from Danville Community College. Adams had 105 strikeouts in 80 innings with a 1.46 ERA and 18 walks.

B.J. Horne (Hamlet, NC) – B.J. is a 6-2, 180-pound, right-handed infielder/pitcher from Richmond High School. Horne batted .302 with a .438 on-base percentage. B.J. had three doubles, two triples, one homerun and 14 RBI.

Jeff Shelton Jr. (Colonial Heights, VA) – Jeff is a 5-11, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher/infielder from Colonial Heights High School. Offensively, Shelton batted .333 with a .433 on-base and a .625 slugging percentage with six doubles, 13 walks, two homers and 15 RBI. From the mound Jeff went 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA (27 earned runs) in 54 innings with 49 strikeouts and 19 walks.

Other newcomers include Greg Wrape (Hamlet, NC), a 6-0, 180-pound, left-handed pitcher/infielder from Methodist College; Nathan Watson (Oxford, NC), a 6-0, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher/infielder from J.F. Webb High School; Richard Cooper (Clayton, NC), a 5-8, 160-pound, left-handed batting outfielder from Clayton High School; Chad Eva (Bahama, NC), a 5-10, 160-pound, right-handed infielder from Northern Durham High School; and Caeland Garner (Ramseur, NC), a 6-5, 235-pound right-handed pitcher from Eastern Randolph High School.