GREENSBORO, N.C.  – UNCG baseball moves its record to 6-1 this Tuesday, tying their best start to a season since 2012, thanks to a 6-4 midweek win over visiting Charlotte. The Spartans tallied their six runs off of nine hits over the course of the night, while the UNCG pitching staff stranded 11 49er base runners in all. 

The Spartans jumped on the 49er pitching staff early on Tuesday night, forcing Charlotte's starting pitcher off the mound after just six batters faced. A leadoff double from Greg Hardison and a single from Caleb Webster set up Josh Madole with an RBI opportunity, with the first baseman responding with a sac fly ball to right. 

Back-to-back walks from Hogan Windish and Jacquez Koonce loaded things up for designated hitter Spencer Smith, who cleared the bases on a standup double down the left field line. Smith's three-RBI knock came in his first at bat while playing in a Spartan uniform, finishing the night 1-for-3. 

Madole wouldn't have to wait long for his next RBI opportunity, adding a Spartan run on an RBI single in the bottom half of the second. Trailing 5-1, the 49ers got a pair back in the fourth before starting UNCG shortstop Zack Budzik delivered his first homer of the year in the bottom half. The sophomore turned on the first pitch of the at bat, grabbing the fifth jack of his UNCG career and putting the Spartans up by a score of 6-3.

Coming on in the fourth junior Austin Parsley tossed 2.2 frames of shutout work on the way to his second win of the season. The right-hander gave up just a single knock over the nine batters he faced, while recording his eight outs on 47 pitches.

The Spartan pitching staff would spray 11 hits over their nine innings of work, with starting righty Alex Hoppe earning his first win of 2020. The Spartans are now on a six-game winning streak after taking the final 6-4 on Tuesday night, with Brandon Stephens grabbing his first save of the year with a two-inning save. 

When the Spartans Win, You Win!  Stop by Bites and Pints Gastro Pub on Spring Garden Street and mention the Spartans win for 50% off an appetizer of your choice. Offer only lasts for 24 hours after the game.

Things To Know
-- Senior third baseman Caleb Webster went 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles to center, finishing the night with two runs scored

-- Spencer Smith's three RBI were a game-high on the night, with Madole and Budzik driving in two and one respectively

-- Left fielder Greg Hardison extended his hitting streak to seven straight games with his leadoff double in the first

-- Brandon Stephens earned the 28th save of his career while getting the last six outs of the contest, giving up two knocks and sitting down a pair of Charlotte batters on strikes

Coming Up Next
The Spartans stay at home for a three-game series against App State, starting with Friday's 4 p.m. opener. UNCG is 40-27 against the Mountaineers all-time, most recently taking two of three against the side to open the 2018 season. 

-- UNCG –