Appalachian State Spoils Baseball SoCon Opener, 4-1

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DAVIDSON, N.C. - Appalachian State took advantage of Davidson miscues and made timely pitches to defeat the Wildcats, 4-1, in the Southern Conference baseball opener for both teams Friday night at Wilson Field.

Centerfielder Forrest Brandt (1-for-3, BB) hit an RBI-triple in the fifth inning for the lone Davidson (4-3, 0-1 SoCon) run. The Wildcats left 12 runners on base, coming up empty with the bases loaded in both the first and ninth innings.

Starting RHP Jamie Nunn (3-0) pitched well for Appalachian State (6-1, 1-0 SoCon), allowing just the one run on five hits and three walks while striking out eight. Closer LHP Rob Marcello (4) allowed the Wildcats to load the bases with two outs in the ninth, but earned a strike out to end the contest.

Third baseman William Head led the Mountaineers offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. He also reached on an error in the seventh inning and then scored on a pair of wild pitches.

The game was scoreless until Appalachian State tallied an unearned run in the third inning. RHP Ryan Lowe (2-1) appeared to have his first 1-2-3 inning of the game, but a throwing error allowed second baseman Hector Crespo to reach base and advance to second, and Head drove him in with a base hit to center. The Mountaineers struck again with two outs in the fifth inning, as an RBI-single by Head and an RBI-double by first baseman Alex Leach (2-for-5) gave them a 3-0 advantage.

Brandt's triple to drive in shortstop Michael Zeblo (1-for-4, BB) from first base in the bottom half of the frame made it a two-run game, but Head's run in the seventh restored the three-run margin. In the bottom of the ninth, a pinch-hit single by Jack McLindon and a single down the line by second baseman Sam Foy (2-for-5), gave the 'Cats runners on first and second, and following a strikeout, Brandt walked to load the bases with two outs. Marcello was able to induce a swinging strikeout though to end the contest.

For Davidson, Lowe allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks and struck out four. RHP Jip Richards and LHP Justin Charles each threw 1.2 innings of relief, with Richards allowing an unearned run. Freshman RHP Chad Moss retired two batters in the ninth. Right fielder Nathan Becker had the first two hits of the game for the Wildcats.

Davidson and Appalachian State will return to Wilson Field Saturday at 4 p.m., and then conclude the series Sunday at 2 p.m.

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