GREENSBORO, NC – The UNC Greensboro Spartans found themselves in extra innings for the second time already this season on Sunday afternoon. The previous day, Kent State took a 7-5, 10th-inning decision, but this time it was UNCG that came out on top with a 4-3 victory. Senior Sean Snell received credit for bringing in the game-winning run.
With neither team able to collect more than a single, the game remained knotted at 0-0 through three innings. As they did in both games the previous day, Kent State was the first to put a run up on the board. Ben Klafczynski made the round to home midway through the top of the fourth inning.
The Golden Flashes kept the Spartans quiet to close out the inning and opened the fifth with yet another run to take a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Snell made a dangerous, foul territory catch. KSU's Jared Humphreys held a 2-2 count at the plate with two on and two outs. He sent a shot out to right field that looked to be heading out of play, but Snell was able to make the grab and hold on despite a collision with the fence.
A single to right field from centerfielder Drew Gehringer brought in Adam Deleo and cut the Flashes' lead in half to open the eighth. KSU gifted the tying run with a balk from Kyle Hallock at the mound to bring Gehringer in from third.
The ninth inning fielded no runs and sent game three into extra innings.
With the bases loaded, Jason Patton sent a sacrifice fly out to leftfield to bring in Klafczynski. A single by Brett Weibley loaded the bags once again, but righthander James White sent the next two batters packing. KSU took the field holding a one-run lead.
Designated hitter Greg Feltes tied the game with a one-out double to leftfield to bring in second baseman Tim Carrier. With Feltes now on second, Snell made his second great play of the game. He sent a long-ball out to leftfield and brought Feltes in for the game-winning slide at home.
Shortstop Matt Gaski led the Spartans at the plate going 2-for-2 with two walks.
White (1-0) not only nabbed the victory for the Spartans, but he also recorded his first collegiate win. Michael Sanders (0-1) took the loss for the Flashes after giving up the game-winning hit.
The Spartans return to UNCG Baseball Stadium on February 29 when they take on the University of Connecticut Huskies for a three-day series. Friday's game is set to begin at 4pm with two 1pm start times to follow.
For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
# # UNCG # #
Score by innings R H E
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Kent State 000 110 000 1 - 3 12 1
UNC Greensboro 000 000 020 2 - 4 6 2
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Pitchers: KSU – Stillings; Hallock (7); Lamport (8); Pokory (9); Sanders, M (10)
Pitchers: UNCG – Martin; Shelton (5); Slack (7); McCall (7); White (10)
Win – James White (1-0)
Loss – Michael Sanders (0-1)
