DAVIDSON, NC With UNC Greensboro clinging to a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Davidson first baseman Drew Gadaire hit a three-run home run over the right field wall to propel the Wildcats to a 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Davidson reliever Mike Frongello picked up his third win of the season for the Wildcats (16-21, 10-10 SoCon) and second in as many days. Matt Webb came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning to record his fifth save of the year.
Spartan reliever Rob Gilliam was credited with the loss for UNCG (15-21, 4-14 SoCon) after surrendering Gadaire's home run in the eighth. UNC Greensboro starter Warren Slack allowed just one run and struck out four in six innings of work.
After neither team was able to produce a run in the first four innings, the Spartans broke through in the top of the fifth inning to go ahead, 1-0. With one out, Drew Gehringer singled on a soft ground ball to the first baseman. Corey Overholtzer followed with a double to right field that right fielder Chase Fitzpatrick lost in the sun. Shortstop Zach Kayne's relay throw into third base sailed into foul territory, allowing Gehringer to score and Overholtzer to move to third.
The Wildcats immediately responded in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game at 1-1. With one down in the inning, Danny Weiss hit a double down the left field line and Pat Brady followed with a walk. The runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch before Weiss scored on a groundout to the second baseman to make the score, 1-1.
The Spartans were able to get that run back in the top of the sixth inning to pull ahead, 2-1. Brent O'Berry led off the inning with a single to left field and was able to move to second on a ground out to second base. O'Berry then moved to third when Brad Raynor struck out swinging and reached first on the wild pitch. O'Berry was able to score the go-ahead run when Raymond Frias hit a chopper to the third baseman and his throw home sailed over the catcher's head and to the backstop.
Just four outs from the victory, Davidson was able to hit a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead heading into the ninth inning. Seth Freeman led off the eighth with a double to left center before Brett Shore was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. After Graham Chapman moved the runners over on a sacrifice bunt, Gilliam struck out Zach Kayne looking. Gadaire came up with two outs and took the first pitch he saw from Gilliam over the right field wall to put Davidson ahead 4-2.
The Spartans and Wildcats will meet again on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wilson Field.
AGATE
Davidson 4, UNC Greensboro 2
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 011 000 - 2 6 1 (15-21)
Davidson.................. 000 010 03X - 4 10 2 (16-21)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Warren Slack, Rob Gilliam. Davidson Chris Lamb, Mike Frongello, Matt Webb.
Win- Mike Frongello (3-1) Save- Matt Webb (5) Loss- Rob Gilliam (3-4) T-2:49 A-263
HR: Davidson: Drew Gadaire (11)
- UNCG -
