Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Joe Burgarino, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
BURLINGTON, NC- Behind a record breaking performance by ace Ethan Greene, the Pfeiffer baseball team (21-29) upset the number one seed Erskine Flying Fleet (36-14) in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament, on Friday afternoon. Greene picked up his 27th career win breaking the record set by Randy Benson in 1972. The senior put together a brilliant performance tossing his seventh complete game of the season, only allowing one run, on three hits and striking out four. In game two Pfeiffer fell to Belmont Abbey 9-4, as the Falcons ninth inning rally fell short.
Greene didn't allow a hit for the first five innings, allowing only two base runners. After allowing one earned run in the bottom of the fifth, the ace buckled down setting down the final six Flying Fleet batters in order.
Pfeiffer struck first in the top of the second inning manufacturing one run with two outs. Kirby Lambert hit a two out single, Cody McKenzie followed it with a single of his own and Ryne Stanley connected on an RBI single to left center field, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Pfeiffer tacked on two more runs in the top of the third, again doing all their damage with two outs in the frame. Back-to-back two out singles by Tanner Mathis and Anthony Allende set the stage for Jordan Eckard, who laced a two out two RBI double to right centerfield.
Tanner Mathis opened up the top opened up the top of the fifth inning hitting his team leading ninth home run of the season. Mathis lined the 1-2 pitch over the right field fence to extend the Falcon lead to 4-0.
Mathis recorded two hits, scored twice and drove in one run for the Falcons. McKenzie and Lambert went a combined 4-for-8 from the plate. Right fielder Damon Smith played a superb game defensively, making a couple of impressive catches including a diving catch that took extra bases away from Tanner Lollis in the bottom of the third inning.
The Falcons advanced to the winner's bracket and played Belmont Abbey. In the game two Pfeiffer's offense struggled recording only three hit and zero runs heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. In the final frame Smith lead off the inning by getting hit by a pitch and later scored on a RBI single up the middle by Mathis. Allende drew a walk to load the bases. Zach Scudder scored from third on a fielder's choice by Eckard. Back-to-back ground outs pushed across two more runs for the Falcons, however, they were unable to score any more runs and the comeback fell short.
This was an elimination game for the Belmont Abbey Crusaders, who fell yesterday to Mount Olive. The Crusaders used a six run fourth inning to lift them to the victory. Starting pitcher Blake Waldren pitched eight innings, surrendering only four hits and striking out six Falcons without giving up a run.
Mathis recorded two more hits in the second game driving in one run and scoring another for the Falcons.
The Falcons will return to action tomorrow morning playing the loser of the Barton vs. Mount Olive game tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
