Senior pitcher throws second complete game shutout of season

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 18, 2023) – Thursday marked perhaps the final start at Thomas Stadium for fifth-year senior pitcher Nathanial Tate (Manchester, Tenn.) — and he made it a memorable one.

Tate went all 9.0 innings and completed his second full shutout of the season, while the Buccaneer offense jumped ahead early in a 6-0 victory over UNC Greensboro under the lights in Johnson City.

The win was a big one for ETSU, starting a crucial three game conference series on the right foot. The Bucs are now 9-10 in the Southern Conference to sit fifth place in the standings, while UNCG drops just below ETSU to sixth with an 8-11 record.

Tate joins elite company with his fourth complete game of the season, as only four other pitchers in the country have gone the distance four or more times. Tate scattered just four hits over his nine innings with no runs allowed, two walks and six strikeouts. He worked efficiently with his 111 pitches, throwing 75 strikes. He also picked off a runner tonight —his team-high fifth of the season. Tate did not allow any Spartans past second base and retired the final seven batters to end it.

Meanwhile, the defensive shutout was ETSU’s sixth of the season. The Bucs join an exclusive club of just 11 teams with six or more shutouts this season, including the likes of national leaders LSU and Wake Forest with nine, Tennessee with seven and Vanderbilt and Virginia with six, among others.

Five years of greatness on this mound from this fella. We caught up with @greatnatetate after his complete game shutout vs. UNCG 🔊#BucsBaseball // #ETSUTough pic.twitter.com/VRIj72zqKk

— ETSU Baseball (@ETSU_Baseball) May 19, 2023

While the defense goose-egged the top of the board, the offense did more than enough to secure a series-opening win. The Bucs had 11 hits — nine of which came in the first three innings — and had eight hitters finish with at least one hit. Five of the six runs were scored in the first three frames, powered by a three-run, six-hit third inning.

Second baseman Noah Gent (Corryton, Tenn.) got things started in the second with a leadoff solo homer just over the left field fence — his fifth of the campaign — to make it 1-0. Four at-bats later, catcher Ryan McCarthy (Knoxville, Tenn.) skied a sacrifice fly to left field to score Noah Webb (Kodak, Tenn.) with ease.

The two-run lead ballooned to five in the third frame, starting with back-to-back base knocks by outfielders Nick Iannantone (Plainfield, Ill.) and Garett Wallace (Sanford, Fla.). This allowed Gent back to the plate for more damage, gapping a two-run double to right center to score both runners and make it 4-0. Gent crossed home in the next at-bat, as Webb singled him in through the left side.

UNCG turned to new pitcher Rob Ready in the third, who kept the Bucs at bay for the most part in the final five innings. The only run in that span came via a sacrifice fly by Skyler Cannady (Nicholasville, Ky.) to bring in Webb for a second time. Webb and Gent each scored two runs for the contest.

The Bucs were led by Gent with a homer and a double, while Cannady and McCarthy joined him with one double each. Cannady also shined with two sacrifice hits, officially finishing 1-for-2 on the day. Gent, Iannantone and returning shortstop Ashton King (Knoxville, Tenn.) led ETSU with two hits. King, a senior, made his first start since May 7 at Oklahoma State with tonight’s two-hit game.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win – Nathanial Tate (8-4)

Loss – Julien Peissel (2-4)

Save – None

TEAM RECORDS

ETSU: 24-26, 9-10

UNCG: 21-31, 8-11

ON DECK

The Bucs and Spartans will cross swords again tomorrow at 2 p.m. as ETSU looks to take the series early. 

For up-to-date information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball tab. Also, follow us on Twitter at @ETSU_Baseball.

🚨 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍 🚨

Nate Tate's final start at Thomas Stadium was a 9.0 inning shutout, guiding the Bucs to a win in the series opener. Meanwhile, eight Bucs tallied a hit.

We're back tomorrow at 2 p.m.#BucsBaseball // #ETSUTough pic.twitter.com/sSLw1gR1Zu

— ETSU Baseball (@ETSU_Baseball) May 18, 2023