Eight of nine starters record hits, six different starters record RBIs

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 15, 2022) – With the series and positioning in the Southern Conference standings on the line, another double-digit run output fell short.

The Spartans used 16 runs on 15 hits to out-power ETSU 16-11 and win the weekend series. Tied going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Bucs had just three extra-base hits compared to UNCG’s eight. Cam Norgren (Cary, N.C.), Ashton King (Knoxville, Tenn.), and Ryan McCarthy (Knoxville, Tenn.) each carried multi-hit afternoons.

Similar to yesterday, the Spartans took the early lead with two runs in the first and two runs in the fourth, the first on a two-run homer and the second off a two-RBI single. After a one-out double from Norgren, David Beam (Knoxville, Tenn.) drove him in with a two-out, RBI single up the middle to start ETSU’s run of offense.

After the first three batters reached in the third, Noah Webb (Kodak, Tenn.) ripped an RBI single into the right-center gap to plate King and Tommy Barth (Brecksville, Ohio) to cut the lead to one. McCarthy grabbed his first RBI of the afternoon the following inning to score Beam, who reached on a leadoff error. In the fifth, Webb would score King on a sacrifice fly to left and Norgren would belt an RBI triple in the next at-bat to plate Bryce Hodge (Knoxville, Tenn.), and ETSU had a 6-4 lead.

UNCG put the first three batters on in the fifth, scoring one before the Spartans used an RBI groundout and an RBI double to retake the lead. The Spartans would score another four runs in the next frame on two, two-run homers.

Down five after having the bases loaded in the last inning, the Bucs used a five-run seventh inning to make a brand-new ball game. Garett Wallace (Sanford, Fla.) started the inning with a one-out single before Beam and Justin Hanvey (Purcellville, Va.) both drew walks right after. McCarthy, who has hit safely in nine of his last ten, continued the trend and ripped the first pitch of his at-bat through the left side for his second RBI of the afternoon. Barth would plate another run with an RBI fielder’s choice, setting up King’s game-tying, three-run shot with two outs.

However, the Spartans generated five more runs in the seventh and eighth to seal their five-run lead for the rest of the afternoon.

Six total frames did not feature any run as ETSU scored in five offensive innings while UNCG scored in six.

Pitchers of Record

• Win: Price King 2-1
• Loss: Nathanial Tate 4-4
• Save: Hunter Shuey (1)

Game Leaders

ETSU

• Norgren | 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, BB
• King | 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB
• McCarthy | 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, BB
• Webb | 1-for-5, 3 RBI
• Beam | 1-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB

UNCG

• Cavenaugh | 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
• Jarman | 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
• Smith | 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R
• Jones | 2-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI, R

Notables

• Webb and Barth each extended their on-base streaks to 27 and 25 games, respectively.
• Going into the final weekend, Webb has the longest active hitting streak at eight games, followed by McCarthy (six) and King (five).
• On his seventh-inning home run, King’s last three home runs have been with two runners on base. Four of his six on the season have come in that same scenario, with the other two being solo homers. King also drew his first-career three-walk game.
• Today was Norgren’s third game this season with at least two doubles, the first since March 19 against Tennessee Tech, and his first game this season with three-extra base hits.
• UNCG’s 16 runs are the most ETSU’s given up since surrendering 17 to No. 20 Tennessee in the final game of the COVID-shortened season in 2020.
• This weekend marks the first time this season ETSU dropped the series after winning the first game. Now 2-2 on the season in rubber match games, both losses have come in conference play (Mercer, UNCG).
• Coming into the game, ETSU was 17-0 when scoring double-digit runs and 5-0 in conference play.

Record Update

• ETSU: 28-19 (9-9 SoCon)
• UNCG: 25-26 (9-9 SoCon)

Up Next

The Bucs will come back home to Thomas Stadium this weekend for the regular season finale against the Citadel with the first game of the weekend on Thursday, May 19. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. All three games will be streaming on ESPN+.

For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball page.