GREENSBORO, NC Blake Hassebrock came in relief in the first inning and pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings, while striking out six, as UNC Greensboro halted Appalachian State's nine-game winning streak, 3-1, on Friday evening at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The Mountaineers had won 22 of their last 25 games coming into the contest.
Hassebrock came into the game with just two outs in the first inning for the Spartans (17-26, 5-18 SoCon) and allowed only three hits to pick up his second win of the season. Brent O'Berry hit a game-winning two-run double in the seventh inning to put UNCG ahead.
Aubrey Edens was credited with just his third loss of the season for the Mountaineers (28-18, 13-13 SoCon) after allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings of work.
The game didn't start off well for the Spartans though as Appalachian State jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the first pitch of the game. Rand Smith took a fastball over the wall in left field for his eighth home run of the season. The Mountaineers went on to load the bases later in the inning, but Hassebrock came into the game with two outs and got Jason Wallace to strike out on three pitches.
The Spartans knotted the game at one in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Kris Richards recorded the first base hit for UNCG on a single through the right side. After a Spartan strike out, Brent O'Berry walked and Drew Gehringer then hit an infield single to the shortstop to load the bases. Corey Overholtzer then hit a chopper down the third base line for another infield single to allow Richards to score from third.
Hassebrock continued to dominate on the mound as he set down 12 consecutive batters from the third through seventh inning.
UNCG was finally able to break through in the seventh inning with the winning run. Rob Gilliam singled up the middle to lead off the inning and Michael Wall followed with a walk. Kris Richards then laid down a bunt and had the ball stop on the first base line for an infield single to load the bases. That was the night for Edens as he was relieved by Chris Patterson. Patterson got the first batter to strike out, but O'Berry then delivered a two-run double to right center to put the Spartans ahead, 3-1.
Hassebrock continued to cruise into the ninth inning where he recorded the first out of the inning, but left after walking Wallace. Gilliam came in to pitch and hit a batter before loading the bases on a walk. He recovered by striking out Smith swinging before getting Wes Hobson to strike out looking to end the game.
The Spartans and Mountaineers return to the field on Saturday for the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 3, Appalachian State 1
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Appalachian State..... 100 000 000 - 1 5 0 (28-18)
UNC Greensboro.......001 000 20X - 3 8 0 (17-26)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Greg Martin, Blake Hassebrock, Rob Gilliam. Appalachian State Aubrey Edens, Chris Patterson.
Win- Blake Hassebrock (2-1) Save- Rob Gilliam (4) Loss- Aubrey Edens (5-3) T-2:33 A-357
HR: Appalachian State: Rand Smith (8)
- UNCG -
