Baseball 3/22/2008 8:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Season high three home runs take UNCG past Appalachian State, 12-8

Box Score

BOONE, NC Three four-run innings and a season high six stolen bases and three home runs gave UNC Greensboro their second conference win of the season as they defeated Appalachian State, 12-8, Saturday afternoon in Boone, NC.

The Spartans (14-5, 2-0 SoCon) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Mountaineers (11-10, 0-2 SoCon) answered with one in the second and two each in the third and the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. Another four-run rally in inning five pushed UNCG back in the lead. ASU again tried to regain control of the game with home runs in the bottom of the fifth and the sixth, but a third four-run inning in the ninth gave the Spartans a five-run advantage. UNCG held the Mountaineers to just one run in the ninth to take the 12-8 victory.

In the opening inning, shortstop Matt Gaski and first baseman Ricky Orton both hit double RBI home runs to give the Spartans the early lead. A run scored in the second, a 2 RBI home run in the third by Jason Rook, and a David Towarnicky solo home run in the fourth put ASU in front with a 5-4 lead.

The Spartans recovered the lead in the fifth inning with a second four-run rally. Second baseman Tim Carrier rounded home after a throwing error by Appalachian's second baseman. Orton hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Gaski, a double down the left field line by right fielder Pedro Leon brought catcher Sean Snell in from second, and a right field single by the centerfielder Corey Overholtzer completed Leon's course to home plate.

The Mountaineers closed the gap by two as David Rubinstein knocked one over the left field fence in the fifth and Towarnicky hit his second solo of the game in the sixth.

Both teams were held scoreless through the sixth and the seventh inning, until UNCG notched its third four-run inning in the top of the ninth. Orton started of the scoring drive with a first pitch, solo home run to center field. Snell was later plated after a wild pitch from the ASU mound and Overholtzer scored off of a left side single by third baseman Ray Quinones. Quinones rounded home for UNCG's final run of the game as Carrier doubled to right field.

Brett Stewart tallied Appalachian's fifth home run of the game in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough as UNCG took the second game of the series, 12-8.

The Spartans were led at the plate by Ricky Orton who was 3-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, two home runs. Tim Carrier was 4-for-6 with two runs, two doubles, and one RBI. ASU's Isaac Harrow was 2-for-3 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run.

UNCG's freshman pitcher Matt Bjorkstrom claimed his first win of the season after 3.0 innings of work on the mound and three strikeouts. Appalachian's Nick Terry (2-1) took his first loss after giving up five hits, two runs, and one walk.

On the bags, Sean Snell and Corey Overholtzer both stole two and Drew Gehringer and Ray Quinones stole one a piece to record a season-high six stolen bases.

UNCG and ASU will play the third and final game of the series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.

For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.

# # UNCG # #

UNC Greensboro 12, Appalachian State 8 (Mar 22, 2008 at Boone, N.C.)

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UNC Greensboro...... 400 040 004 - 12 16 0 (14-5, 2-0 SoCon)

Appalachian State... 012 211 001 - 8 9 1 (11-10, 0-2 SoCon)

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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Matt Gibbs; Alex Shelton(5); Warren Slack(5); Matt Bjorkstrom(6); Rob Gilliam(9).

Appalachian State - Andress; Terry(5); Mills(7); Sherrill(9).

Win-Matt Bjorkstrom(1-0)

Loss-Terry(2-1)