GREENSBORO, N.C. – Trailing 4-0 entering the bottom half of the eighth inning, UNCG was able to plate three runs, but nothing else as the Spartans fell to Cleveland State, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
Anthony Sambula picked up his first win of the season for the Vikings (2-3) after pitching seven strong innings and allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out five batters. Reliever Tyler Hollstegge was credited with the loss after pitching just 2/3 of an inning and giving up one run on two hits.
The Spartans (3-3) were led by Drew Gehringer who went 1-3 at the plate with an RBI and run scored, while also stealing a pair of bases. Ray Quinones added a pair of hits, including a double, while pinch hitter Eric Brindle added a hit in his only at bat and scored a run.
Zach Thompson went 1-4 for Cleveland State with two RBI and a run scored and Alex Gnezda went 1-2 with a solo home run.
It was a pitcher's duel in the early going as the two teams combined for just one hit over the first five innings.
Gnezda broke up the scoreless battle as he led off the top of the sixth inning with a home run to left field to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
A scary situation happened in the bottom of the sixth inning for UNCG. While running the bases, catcher Matt Crump jumped over a ball, but broke his leg as he landed and has been ruled out for the season.
Things stayed that way until the top of the eighth inning when Cleveland State pushed three runs across the plate to stretch its lead to 4-0. Steve Mahler led off the inning with a double to left center and Gnezda followed with a walk.
After the runners moved over to second and third on a groundout, Thompson followed with a two-run single to center field to make it 3-0. Alex Johnson followed with a double that scored Thompson from first to give the Vikings a four-run lead.
Down by four runs and just six outs to play, the Spartans started to mount a comeback as Ray Quinones led off with a double to right center. Lloyd Enzor then had an infield single that allowed Quinones to move over to third base. Gehringer followed by reaching on a fielder's choice that allowed Quinones to score from third.
Gehringer then stole second and third before Trevor Edwards drew a five-pitch walk. A failed pickoff attempt by the Vikings allowed Gehringer to score on the play. Eric Brindle would score later in the inning on an error after reaching base on a walk.
The Spartans and Vikings will meet again on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the rubber game to decide who wins the weekend series.
AGATE
Cleveland State 4, UNCG 3
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Cleveland State......... 000 001 030 - 4 5 4 (2-3)
UNCG................ 000 000 030 - 3 6 0 (3-3)
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Pitchers: - SAMBULA, Anthony; RUCH, Clayton(8); MILLER, Travis(8) and GNEZDA, Alex. UNCG - Jarett Miller; Dylan Hathcock(6); Tyler Hollstegge(8); Greg Smith(9) and Cambric Moye; Zach Leach.
Win-SAMBULA, Anthony(1-0) Loss-Tyler Hollstegge(1-1) T-4:16 pm A-185
HR CSU - GNEZDA, Alex.
Weather: Sunny
SAMBULA faced 1 batter in the 8th.
- UNCG -
