ATHENS, W.Va. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (12-28) earned a non-conference road win over Concord University (16-22) Tuesday afternoon. It is the second time in two weeks that the Wasps have defeated the Mountain Lions, after downing CU by a 16-6 run-rule margin in just eight innings on March 31.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 6, Concord 4
LOCATION – Athens, West Virginia
VENUE – Anderson Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (12-28, 6-21 SAC); Concord (16-22, 10-8 MEC)
How It Happened
Concord took the lead in the bottom of the second as the Mountain Lions struck for a run on two hits for the early 1-0 advantage. Emory & Henry got on the board in the top of the third inning. Freshman outfielder Jase Kotwicki (Harrisburg, N.C.) singled and advanced to third on a two-base error, junior second baseman Ryan Paynton (Walnut Creek, Calif.) drew a walk and sophomore shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) plated Kotwicki with an RBI single. Junior outfielder Jadden Rodriguez (Thomasville, N.C.) drew a walk to load the bases and senior catcher Ky Gregoire (Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA) delivered a sacrifice fly to score Paynton and make it 2-1 in favor of the Wasps.
Both starting pitchers threw up zeros on the scoreboard over the fourth and fifth innings, but E&H struck for another run in the top of the sixth. Junior first baseman J.D. James (China Grove, N.C.) reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a passed ball. Kotwicki drilled an RBI single through the right side of the infield to score James and increase the E&H lead to 3-1. Concord managed to scratch across another run in the bottom of the seventh to draw back within just one at 3-2.
Emory & Henry added insurance runs in the top of the ninth when Rodriguez doubled, junior designated hitter Kyle Fields (Lynchburg, Va.) reached on an error and Rodriguez scored on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of junior third baseman Jeriel Lamboy (Caguas, PUERTO RICO). James followed one batter later with a two-run home run, his fourth of the season, to increase the E&H margin to 6-2. The Mountain Lions pushed across two in the home half of the ninth, but it was not enough as the Wasps held on for the 6-4 win.
Junior righty Ivan Delp (Sparta, N.C.) earned the win on the mound for the Wasps as he shut down the Concord lineup for the second time in as many outings against the Mountain Lions. Delp went seven innings as he surrendered just two runs on six hits while fanning four batters. In all, the righty has gone 2-0 with 10 strikeouts while allowing just five runs over 13.1 innings of work against Concord on the year. Senior reliever Brady Halstead (Indian Trail, N.C.) picked up his fourth save of the season as he got the final six outs of the contest, allowing two runs on two hits in his two innings on the hill. Rocco Fizzano suffered the loss for Concord after allowing just two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings. James led the offense with a pair of RBIs on two hits while Kotwicki finished 3-for-4 with a run driven in and Hoppes recorded two hits and an RBI of his own.
Up Next
The Wasps are at home this weekend for a three-game series against Mars Hill University. First pitch of Friday's game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Porterfield-DeVault Field.
--E&H--