“Samford played great all day, they earned it.” Head Coach Link Jarrett said, “Their pitching staff used and managed their secondary pitches all day.  We didn't adjust well throughout the day; our approach wasn't good enough to overcome some of the things we got a little reckless at the plate.  As a pitching staff, we didn't utilize our secondary pitches the way we needed to.  Against a team that can swing the bat like they can, when you get into those situations and you have to use your fastball, you can get into some trouble if you make mistakes.  Samford beat us in those two games.  It's unfortunate because the effort was there, but it was maybe a little too much effort and pressing a little bit.  It's a tough series loss, but we'll bounce back and move forward to Wofford.”

After racking up 15 hits in the game Friday night, UNCG combined for 14 hits in the two games on Saturday.  In game one, Ben Spitznagel (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wabash Valley CC) led the way with a pair of hits and a run scored.  L.J. Kalawaia (Wailuku, Hawai'i/Ohlone College) finished with three hits on the day, scored two runs and drove in another. 

Devin Ruiz (Pennsauken, N.J./Paul VI) tallied three hits, including a pair in the nightcap.  Ruiz finished with two RBI and two runs scored, both coming in the second game. Ryne Sigmon (Danville, Va./Danville CC) recorded a hit in both games, including two RBI in game two.  Michael Goss (Cartersville, Ga./Chattanooga St. CC) had a hit in both contests, to go with a run scored and an RBI.

Cesar Trejo (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale) and Dillon Stewart (Dunn, N.C./Brunswick CC) had one hit each throughout the day.  Stewart added a run scored. 

UNCG used six pitchers through the duo of games.  Keaton Haack (Greensboro, N.C./Pitt CC) started game one, surrendering four hits, four earned runs and striking out three.  Andrew Wantz (Holly Springs, N.C./Holly Springs) worked 2.1 innings in relief, giving up two runs, one earned. 

Jake Lewis (Wendell, N.C./Corinth Holders) worked an inning, allowing two hits and two earned runs.  Ben Kerner (Cary, N.C./Brunswick CC) worked 1.1 innings in the first game, without allowing a hit or a run. 

Matt Frisbee (Candler, N.C./Enka) started the nightcap, working 4.0 innings, allowing nine hits, and eight earned runs while striking out two batters.  Bryce Hensley (Asheville, N.C./Catawba Valley CC) worked the next 4.0 innings, allowing only four hits and an earned run. 

Chad Sykes (Creedmoor, N.C./Voyager Academy) worked 1.2 innings on the day, allowing only one hit and an unearned run while striking out one batter in each game.

The Spartans took an early lead in game one, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning.  Spitznagel led off with a single and stole second.  An error on his stolen base moved him to third for Kalawaia.  Kalawaia singled to right field to bring in Spitznagel and give UNCG an early 1-0 lead.

UNCG added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Sigmon started the inning with a single and moved to third after Goss hit behind the runner on a well executed hit and run.  Kusz delivered the first run, hitting a deep line drive to centerfield that was caught, but scored Sigmon, and advanced Goss to third.  With runners on the corners, Spitznagel stole second and the Samford catcher attempted to throw out Goss at third, the throw got away allowing Goss to score. 

Samford tied the game up in the top of the third.  After an RBI single from Austin Edens, Alex Lee hit a two-run home run to right to tie the game at 3-3.

The Bulldogs took a 4-3 lead in the next frame.  A lead off walk, and sacrifice bunt put a runner in scoring position before TJ Dixon singled up the middle to bring in a run and go up 4-3.

Grant Colton hit his first career home run in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 5-3 Bulldogs.  Samford tacked on another when, with a runner on first, Heath Quinn singled up the middle.  The ground ball got under the glove of the UNCG centerfielder and allowed the run to score from first and push the lead to 6-3. 

Samford broke open a close game, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to take the first game 9-3.

UNCG dropped the nightcap 9-5 to the Bulldogs, as Samford received another quality start from their pitcher. 

Samford wasted no time, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning of game two.  RBI hits from Quinn and Edens drove in the first two runs before a ground out from Lee drove in the third run of the inning. 

The Bulldogs added a run to their lead in the top of the third by virtue of an Edens RBI single.

UNCG cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth.  After a walk from Kalawaia, Ruiz hit a high chopper back up the middle for the first hit of the game.  Sigmon hit a triple to left center field just out of the reach of the Samford centerfielder to plate two runs. 

Four straight Bulldog hits started the top of the fifth.  After a lead off home run, Edens brought in two on a double and a sacrifice fly from Damon Waller scored the fourth run to push the lead to 8-2. 

Samford added a solo run in the top of the eighth before UNCG cut the deficit to four.  Stewart started the rally with a single and moved to second on a Kalawaia single.  Ruiz brought in both on a double to right center before later scoring on a Goss RBI single. 

The Spartans return to action on Friday, May 6^th as they travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for a three-game series with the Wofford Terriers. 

-UNCG-