DAVIDSON, NC Three Davidson home runs led to five runs as UNC Greensboro was edged by the Wildcats, 5-4, on Friday evening at Wilson Field.
Davidson reliever Mike Frongello allowed only two hits in the three innings of relief for the Wildcats (15-21, 9-10 SoCon) to pick up his second win of the season. Matt Webb pitched a no-hit ninth inning to record his fourth save of the season.
UNCG starter Greg Smith was credited with the loss after allowing five runs in six innings for the Spartans (15-20, 4-13 SoCon).
The Wildcats wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead. With one down in the bottom of the first, Drew Gadaire hit a single to right field and Danny Weiss followed with his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall to give Davidson a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans responded in the top of the second with a run to narrow the Wildcat lead to 2-1. With one out, Drew Gehringer singled to right field and Michael Wall was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Brad Raynor then delivered a single to center field to score Gehringer. Alex Frederick then drew a 13-pitch walk to load the bases, but the Wildcats induced an inning-ending double play.
Davidson extended its lead in the third inning on its second two-run home run of the game. Weiss reached base with one down after he was hit by a pitch and later in the inning Chase Fitzpatrick hit his team-leading 11th home run to put the Wildcats up, 4-1.
Michael Wall laid a bunt single down the first base line to reach base in the top of the fourth. After stealing second, Wall scored from second when the Wildcat second baseman overthrew first on a ground ball to narrow the Wildcat lead to 4-2.
The Spartans were able to knot the game at 4 in the top of the fifth on Pedro Leon's third home run of the season. Brent O'Berry led off the inning with a double to right center and two batters later Leon hit a towering shot over the right field wall to tie the game at 4-4.
Davidson responded in the bottom of the sixth when Fitzpatrick hit his second home run of the season. With one out in the inning, Fitzpatrick hit a ball that just barely cleared the 385-foot centerfield wall to give the Wildcats a 5-4 lead.
The Spartans and Wildcats will meet again on Saturday afternoon in game two of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Wilson Field.
AGATE
Davidson 5, UNC Greensboro 4
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UNC Greensboro...... 010 120 000 - 4 9 0 (15-20)
Davidson.................. 202 001 00X - 5 7 1 (15-21)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Greg Smith, Rob Gilliam. Davidson Thomas Middour, Mike Frongello, Matt Webb.
Win- Mike Frongello (2-1) Save- Matt Webb (4) Loss- Greg Smith (3-6) T-2:22 A-624
HR: UNC Greensboro: Pedro Leon (3); Davidson: Chase Fitzpatrick 2 (12), Danny Weiss (5)
- UNCG -
