DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson scored three runs in the seventh before blowing open the game in the eighth inning with eight runs as UNCG fell to the Wildcats, 14-3, on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field. The win for Davidson tied the weekend series and forced a rubber game on Sunday.
Davidson starter Ian Horkley moved to 4-3 on the year after pitching six innings and allowing just two runs on two hits, while striking out seven. Mike Frongello came in to pitch the final three innings for the Wildcats (15-15, 7-9 Southern Conference) to pick up is fifth save of the season.
UNCG (17-12, 9-5 SoCon) reliever Greg Smith was credited with the loss after allowing just one unearned run on one hit in two innings of work.
Thomas Troelstrup led the Spartan offense as he went 1-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Chris Barker had the only other RBI for UNCG.
Danny Weiss had a big day at the plate for Davidson as he went 2-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Drew Gaddaire added four RBI and a pair of runs scored, as well, while Michael Zeblo added two more RBI.
The Wildcats wasted no time in jumping on the Spartans as they put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Seth Freeman started the half inning with a single through the left side of the infield before UNCG starter Brandon Browne struck out the next two batters. After Weiss drew a walk, Andrew Barna ripped a double to the left field wall that scored both runners and put Davidson in front 2-0.
UNCG was able to get one of those runs back in the top of the second as Troelstrup took the second pitch of the inning over the left field wall for his third home run of the season to make it 2-1.
The Spartans were able to knot the game up at two in the top of the fourth as Trevor Edwards led off with a double to the gap in right center. He advanced to third on a foul out and then scored on a groundout by Troelstrup.
Davidson retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth with an unearned run. Daniel Gerow led off the inning with a single off the pitcher's leg and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt. Brandt then grounded a ball to third base, but the throw to first sailed and the runner was safe and Gerow advanced to third. Gadaire then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Gerow and give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead.
The Wildcats took full control of the game in the bottom of the seventh as they plated three runs. With one out, Gerow singled on a high chopper to the third baseman. Freeman followed with a sharp ground ball that went off the shoulder of the third baseman for a single.
After a strikeout, Gadaire delivered a triple down into the right field corner the plated both runners. Weiss then singled to center field to score Gadaire and put Davidson ahead, 6-2.
Barker hit a sacrifice fly to the gap in left center that scored Joe Hager, who reached on a leadoff walk, in the top of the eighth to make it 6-3.
The Wildcats cemented their victory with eight runs on just five hits in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by a three-run triple from Gadaire, to make the score 14-3.
The Spartans and Wildcats will wrap up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
AGATE
Davidson 14, UNCG 3
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UNCG................ 010 100 010 - 3 4 2 (17-12, 9-5)
Davidson............ 200 010 38X - 14 13 2 (15-15, 7-9)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Brandon Browne; Greg Smith(5); Jonathan Jones(7); Zach Furl(7); Pete Schultz(8); Dylan Newton(8) and Zach Leach. Davidson - Ian Horkley; Mike Frongello(7) and Daniel Gerow.
Win-Ian Horkley(4-3) Save-Mike Frongello(5) Loss-Greg Smith(0-1) T-2:42 A-237
HR UNCG - Thomas Troelstrup.
Weather: 65 and cloudy
- UNCG -
