GREENSBORO, NC After taking a 3-0 lead over Wofford in the fifth inning, the UNC Greensboro baseball club fended off the Terriers to take a 3-2, Friday night victory at UNCG Baseball Stadium. This marks UNCG's first Friday night win since the 9-3, Southern Conference victory over Appalachian State on March 21 in Boone, NC.
The Spartans took the lead in the home half of the fourth inning as right fielder Pedro Leon hit a two-run double to left center. In the fifth, the Spartans made it 3-0 off of a sacrifice fly to center. Just two innings later, the Terriers nipped at the heels of the Spartans after tallying two runs of their own. Wofford had their chances to tie-up the game, but the UNCG defense fended them off to take the 3-2, home field victory.
With the win, UNCG moved to 19-20 on the season with a 6-4 record in the conference. Wofford dropped to 19-14 overall with a 4-6 league mark.
After three scoreless innings, Leon put the Spartans up 2-0 with a two-run double to left center. His slice into the outfield brought around second baseman Tim Carrier and right fielder Sean Snell. The two-bagger was Leon's ninth of the season.
Designated hitter Greg Feltes bumped the blue and gold up by one more in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly. His fly out to centerfield allowed third baseman Ray Quinones to head down the third baseline and give UNCG the 3-0 lead.
Two innings later, the Terriers made it a one-run game. Neil Robinette chipped the first run away with an RBI single to left field. Two bats later, Robinette made his way home as Josh McKinney dropped a single into the left field to put the game at 3-2 in favor of the Spartans.
With a runner on second, Wofford had the chance to tie in the ninth, but a snag in centerfield by Corey Overholtzer gave the Spartans the third out and the 3-2 victory over Wofford.
The UNCG bats were led by Sean Snell who was 3-for-4 (.291) with one run. Ricky Orton and Pedro Leon each tallied a double. The Terriers' Neil Robinette was 2-for-3 (.364) with a run and an RBI.
Starter Greg Martin (3-2) grabbed his third win of the season after 6.1 innings on the mound and two strikeouts. Reliever Rob Gilliam (1-3) earned his fourth save of the season after holding off the Terriers in the eighth and ninth innings. Wofford's Scott Summers (5-4) took the game loss after allowing all three of UNCG's runs.
The Spartans return tomorrow to UNCG Baseball Stadium for the second game of the series with the Wofford Terriers. First pitch is set for 2pm. Saturday's game will be a continuation of Katie Ball Memorial Baseball Weekend in honor of the late Katherine (Katie) Ball, former baseball administrative assistant. Fans are invited to join UNCG baseball and the rest of Spartan athletics in their effort to STRIKEOUT cancer.
For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
# # UNCG # #
UNC Greensboro 3, Wofford 2 (Apr 11, 2008 at Greensboro, NC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wofford............. .......000 000 200 - 2 9 0 (19-14, 4-6-0 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 210 00X - 3 8 0 (20-12, 6-4-0 SoCon)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Wofford - Scott Summers; John Cornely(6); Pete Noordsy(8).
UNC Greensboro - Greg Martin; Wes McCall(7); Rob Gilliam(8).
Win-Greg Martin(3-2)
Save-Rob Gilliam(4)
Loss-Scott Summers(5-4)
