BOX SCORE (PDF)
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sophomore LHP Caleb Henley (Salisbury, N.C./East Rowan) worked out of a big jam in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, helping the UNCG baseball team hang on for a 6-5 victory over Marist at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The Spartans improve to 8-5 with the win while the Red Foxes fall to 4-6.
"I was happy with the start we had today," head coach Link Jarrett said. "Our relief pitchers executed well, especially Caleb in the ninth. I liked our energy the whole weekend and how we responded after a tough game Friday night. Cambric Moye (Goldsboro, N.C./Eastern Wayne) also continues to do some great things at the plate."
The top of the ninth began when Zach Shank reached on an error by Spartan second baseman Nin Marrero (Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford). Mike Orefice then walked before infielder Ray Crawford (Greensboro, N.C./Dudley) botched a force play attempt, dropping the ball at third and allowing Shank to score to make the score 6-5. Henley came on with men at second and third, and got Zachary Passerale to pop up on the infield. The next Marist batter put the ball in play, but first baseman Lloyd Enzor (Whiteville, N.C./Southeastern CC) made the throw home to nail Orefice. Joey Aiola then grounded out to Henley to end the game.
Moye had one hit in the contest, but it was a big one as he lined a pitch over the left field wall in the fifth for a three-run home run – his fourth round-tripper of the season. A total of four UNCG players recorded multiple hits while senior outfielder Christian Wolfe (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) tallied two RBI. The Spartans pounded out multiple hits for the second-straight game, touching up the Red Foxes for 12 base knocks.
A rookie picked up his first victory of his collegiate career as southpaw Adam Anderson (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada/Christ the King) recorded the final out in the top of the fifth inning before UNCG regained its lead in the bottom of the frame. Senior Dominique Vattuone (Germantown, Md./Northwest) threw three innings of solid ball, allowing one earned run, scattering two hits and striking out four.
Shank put Marist in front early as his sacrifice fly scored Steve Laurino to give the Red Foxes a 1-0 advantage in the first inning. The Spartans responded quickly as Edwards doubled to right field and Enzor brought him home with a RBI single. UNCG added a run in the bottom of the second off a RBI single from Wolfe which scored Crawford who had tripled to right center earlier in the inning.
The Red Foxes regained control in the fifth, netting three runs on four hits to move in front 4-2. Marist would not lead for long, however, as Edwards was hit by a pitch and Enzor doubled down the right field line to put runners on the corners. Moye took the first pitch he saw and drilled it over the left field wall to put UNCG back ahead 5-4.
The Blue and Gold put an insurance run on the board in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore outfielder Nick Chapman (Morganton, N.C./Patton) led off with a pinch hit single before Marrero singled through the left side with one out. After a pitching change, Wolfe greeted the new Marist pitcher with a single through the right half of the infield which plated Chapman and proved to be the winning tally.
UNCG returns to the diamond Tuesday, hosting Patriot League member Lehigh in a midweek contest at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
- UNCG -
