Friday, March 09, 2007

(Mar. 9, 2007) - Junior Brandon Langston (Ringgold, Ga.) allowed one hit through the first six innings, and struck out three over eight innings of work while allowing just one run as the Bucs held off High Point for a 2-1 victory to open their three-game series Friday afternoon at Williard Park.

The Bucs (11-5) took an early 1-0 lead when sophomore Troy Mendez (Roswell, Ga.) led off the game with his first career home run off High Point starter Eammon Portice.

Sophomore Ben Allen's (Kingsport, Tenn.) two-out single in the second inning plated senior Michael Courtney (Knoxville, Tenn.) with the Bucs' second run.

Langston carried a one-hitter into the seventh inning, having allowed just an infield single to leadoff the first inning.  The Panthers (7-10) started to solve the righty in the seventh, scratching out two hits, but no runs.  After Langston retired the first two batters in the eighth, High point strung together three consecutive hits, plating its first run, and cutting the ETSU lead in half; also snapping Langston's 16 consecutive scoreless inning streak.

Pinch hitter Jay Williams led off the ninth inning with a double and advanced to third with a sacrifice bunt, but senior Caleb Glafenhein (Knoxville, Tenn.) induced a pair of groundouts, ending the threat and recording his fourth save of the season.

Langston improved to 3-1 with his stellar performance.  High Point starter Eammon Portice was the hard-luck loser, falling to 2-3 despite striking out nine and scattering six hits over seven innings of work.

Junior Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.) and freshman Tanner Moore (Chattanooga, Tenn.) were each hitless on the day, snapping hitting streaks of 12 and seven games, respectively.

The teams continue their three game series Saturday afternoon at WIlliard Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.