JACKSONVILLE, FL Japanese College Team starting pitcher Kyuko Kentaro hurled a complete game as the UNC Greensboro baseball team lost a 6-2 decision to the Eagles Monday afternoon at North Florida's Harmon Stadium.
Kentaro allowed one earned run and nine hits while striking out six and walking two.
Clay Gibson took the loss for the Spartans after giving up four runs on seven hits in 2-2/3 innings on the hill.
UNCG starting pitcher Clark Erskine shined in his season debut as the Mayodan, NC native allowed just one earned run on one hit in 5-1/3 innings of mound duty.
The Japanese College Team struck first in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead when Yokogawa Fuminori scored from second base on an error on the Spartan infield. Yokogawa led off the game with a single to centerfield and advanced to second on a groundout on the infield before scoring the game's first run two batters later.
The Eagles extended their lead to 2-0, scoring a single run in the top of the sixth. With one out and nobody one, Osaki Yutaro walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by UNCG catcher Sam Martin. After another walk to put runners on the corners, Tsuburaya Hidetoshi smashed a double to rightfield to score Yutaro from third.
UNCG answered with two runs in the home half of the sixth to tie the game at two runs apiece. Sophomore Greg Feltes led off with a double to deep centerfield and Logan Smith advanced him to third base with a bunt on the infield. Greg Matson followed with a bloop single to rightfield to score Feltes from third.
With two outs and Matson still on first, Mike Mongiello laced a double to rightfield to put runners on second and third, but a wild throw from the second baseman attempting to retire Mongiello at second allowed Matson to race home from third with the tying run.
The Japanese College Team took a 6-2 lead after the top of the eighth inning as the Eagles scored four runs highlighted by a two-run single from Kusuki Yusuke. During the inning, the Eagles recorded six singles and four straight at one point.
First baseman Greg Matson led the UNCG attack at the plate as the junior went 2-for-4 with an RBI at the dish. Freshman Shane Thompson also recorded two hits for the Spartans.
The game was an exhibition game and results and statistics will not be used or recorded.
UNCG returns to the diamond Tuesday evening when the Spartans travel west to take on 16th-ranked Florida from McKethan Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
AGATE:
Japanese Coll. Team 6, UNC Greensboro 2 (Mar 06, 2006 at Jacksonville, FL)
Japanese Coll. Team. 100 001 040 - 6 9 2
UNC Greensboro...... 000 002 000 - 2 9 3 (3-8)
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Pitchers: Japanese Coll. Team - Kyuko Kentaro. UNC Greensboro - Clark Erskine; Clay Gibson(6);
Brandon Harvey(9).
Loss-Clay Gibson(0-1) T-2:32 A-77
- UNCG -
