BOX SCORE (PDF)
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson scored six runs in the middle innings Sunday and held off a late rally to pick up a 7-5 victory over the UNCG baseball team and clinch the Southern Conference series at Wilson Field. The Spartans fall to 18-22 overall and 6-12 in league play while the Wildcats are now 12-26 and 7-14.
Senior outfielder Zach Leach was 4-for-4 in the contest with a run scored while seniors TJ Spina and Christian Wolfe tallied two hits in the contest. Wolfe extended his hitting streak to a career-best 17 games. Sophomore RHP Lee Gilliam was tagged with the loss as he gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out four batters.
The first scoring opportunity came in the top of the second as Leach doubled down the right field line with two outs. Spina then singled to left and Leach attempted to score on the play. He clearly beat the tag but the home plate umpire called him out to end the inning.
UNCG put together a two-out rally in the top of the third as Wolfe singled before redshirt sophomore infielder Ray Crawford roped a double down the left field line to put runners at second and third. Davidson starter Rob Bain was able to escape the jam, however, as senior infielder Trevor Edwards grounded out to second.
Gilliam worked himself into trouble in the bottom of the frame as he walked Forrest Brandt to load the bases with two outs. He recovered nicely, striking out Sam Foy looking to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Wildcats struck first in the fourth. A pair of singles by Daniel Gerow and David Daniels put runners on for Michael Zeblo, who drove a ball over the right field fence for a three-run home run and a 3-0 advantage. Davidson continued the scoring in the fifth, netting two runs with two outs on a sacrifice fly from Lee Miller and RBI single to right center by Gerow. Ryan Lowe would add a solo home run in the sixth to make it a 6-0 contest.
The Spartans mounted a rally in the top of the seventh as junior catcher Cambric Moye led off with a single and Kalbfleisch followed with a two-run blast to right to slice the Davidson lead to 6-2. UNCG was not done, however, getting consecutive singles from Leach and Spina before senior infielder Lloyd Enzor drew a walk to load the bases. Leach came home when a balk was called and Wolfe flew out to left field to tally the sacrifice fly and move the score to 6-4. Crawford had a chance to keep the rally going, but he grounded into a double play to end the frame.
Edwards drew the Spartans closer in the eighth as he ripped a leadoff home run to left center field – his team-leading 10th of the season – as UNCG drew to within one run. It would not be enough, however, as the Wildcats added an insurance tally in the eighth and blanked the Spartans in the ninth to seal the victory.
The Blue and Gold returns to the diamond Wednesday, April 24, with a contest at Campbell. First pitch at Pete Taylor Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.
- UNCG -
