CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Citadel scored six runs in the first three innings and Asher Wojciechowski pitched a complete game two-hitter as UNC Greensboro fell to the Bulldogs, 8-2, on Friday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Wojciechowski picked up his league-leading ninth win of the season for the Bulldogs (32-20, 19-6 Southern Conference) as he allowed only two runs on two hits, while striking out 13 batters. Blake Hassebrock suffered the loss after allow seven runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.
The Spartans (20-28, 7-18 SoCon) were led by Corey Overholtzer who went 1-3 with a solo home run and Chris Barker who had an RBI single in the ninth inning.
Kyle Jordan paced the Bulldogs as he went 3-4 with three RBI, while David Greene added three RBI as well.
The Bulldogs wasted no time in taking the lead as they put up four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the early lead. Nick Orvin led off the inning with a single to the shortstop in the hole and then stole second. After a strikeout, he advanced to third on a groundout to the third baseman.
Bryan Altman drew a walk to put runners on the corners before Justin Mackert reached a fielder's choice to score Orvin, while Altman was safe at second. Jordan then delivered an RBI single to left field that scored Altman. After Makert and Jordan pulled of a double steal, Greene hit a two-run single through the right side to give The Citadel a 4-0 lead.
The Bulldogs continued to put runs on the board as they added a pair in the bottom of the third inning to stretch their lead to 6-0. Altman led off the inning with a single and then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Mackert followed with a walk and then stole second to put two runners in scoring position.
Jordan then singled through the right side to score Altman before Mackert scored on a wild pitch to give the Bulldogs a six run lead.
The Spartans had their first hit of the afternoon in the top of the fourth to break up Wojciechowski's no-hitter as Overholtzer took a 3-1 pitch over the wall in right field for his sixth home run of the season.
The Citadel responded in the bottom of the fourth for a run to make it a 7-1 lead. With two outs, Altman singled through the left side before moving to second on a hit by pitch. He then scored on an RBI single through the left side by Jordan.
The Bulldogs scored one more run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly to go ahead, 8-1.
Pinch-hitter Joey Frabasile led off the ninth inning by being hit by a pitch before stealing second. Two batters later, Barker hit a single through the right side of the infield to score Frabasile and make the final score, 8-2.
The Spartans and Bulldogs will play game two of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.
AGATE
The Citadel 8, UNC Greensboro 2
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 100 001 - 2 2 1 (20-28, 7-18)
The Citadel......... 402 100 01X - 8 10 1 (32-20, 19-6)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Blake Hassebrock; Zach Furl(6); Tyler Hollstegge(8) and Zach Leach. The Citadel - Asher Wojciechowski and Grant Richards.
Win-Asher Wojciechowski(9-2) Loss-Blake Hassebrock(0-6) T-2:28 A-558
HR UNCG - Corey Overholtzer.
Weather: 80 and sunny
Furl faced 1 batter in the 8th.
- UNCG -
