GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG got five strong innings from Tyler Hollstegge and used a four-run seventh inning to propel the Spartans past Penn State, 10-7, on Friday evening at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
The win marked the first time that the Spartans have begun the season 5-0 since the 2004 squad that went 6-0 before suffering its first defeat.
Hollstegge (2-0) picked up his second win in as many starts as he went five innings and allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out four. Penn State (1-3) starter Cody Lewis (0-2) was credited with the loss after lasting just 3 2/3 innings and allowing six runs on nine hits.
Thomas Troelstrup went 3-5 with three RBI and Trevor Edwards added a 2-4 performance with a pair of RBI to lead the Spartans at the plate.
Penn State was led by Zach Ell who went 2-4 with three RBI and Joey DeBernardis also went 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Nittany Lions took control early in the contest as they got a pair of runs in the top of the first. With a runner on first, DeBernardis hit a two-run shot over the left field wall to make it 2-0.
The Spartans wouldn't have an answer until the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Bobby Martin and Christian Wolfe hit back-to-back singles before Troelstrup doubled to the left center alley to tie the game at 2-2. Edwards then followed with a triple into the right field corner to score Troelstrup and give UNCG a lead it would never relinquish.
UNCG would come right back in the fourth inning to add three more runs to take a 6-2 lead. Kris Richards, Troelstrup and Edwards all had RBI singles in the inning to take the four-run advantage.
Penn State nearly came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning on a two-out rally. With two down, Ell hit a two-run bases-loaded single to cut the Spartan lead down to 6-4. After a pitching change, a throwing error allowed another Nittany Lion to score to make UNCG's lead just 6-5.
The score would stay that way until the bottom of the seventh when UNCG took advantage of four Penn State errors and two passed balls to take a commanding 10-4 lead. Two Nittany Lion errors and a walk loaded the bases to begin the inning before Cole Harrison slapped a single to right field to make it 7-5 and keep the bases loaded.
UNCG then grounded into a fielder's choice and was able to score two runs when a throw by the second baseman sailed over the first baseman's head. The Spartans would add another run on a passed ball to take a six-run lead.
Penn State would get a run in the eighth on an Ell single and another in the ninth on an RBI single, but UNCG was able to hold on for the 10-7 victory.
The Spartans and Nittany Lions will meet again on Saturday at 1 p.m.
AGATE
UNCG 10, Penn State 7
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Penn State.......... 200 003 011 - 7 8 4 (1-3)
UNCG................ 003 300 40X - 10 12 2 (4-0)
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Pitchers: Penn State - Lewis, Cody; Herring, Neal(4); Welsh, Greg(7); Taylor, Patton(8) and Clark, Ryan. UNCG - Tyler Hollstegge; Eric Kalbfleisch(6); Zach Furl(6); Brennen James(7); Dominique Vattuone(8) and Trevor Edwards.
Win-Tyler Hollstegge(2-0) Loss-Lewis, Cody(0-2) T-2:39 A-196
HR PSU - DeBernardis, Joey.
Herring faced 3 batters in the 7th.
- UNCG -
