Davidson, UNCG Fend off Ninth-Inning Rallies to Split Doubleheader

Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2
Highlights - Game 1
Highlights - Game 2
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DAVIDSON, N.C. – Both ends of a Southern Conference baseball doubleheader Saturday at Wilson Field came down to the final pitch, as UNCG hung on in the first game, 8-6, and Davidson did the same in the second game, 5-4.

Right fielder Nathan Becker appeared to have a walk-off, three-run home run for Davidson (11-26, 6-14 SoCon) in the afternoon tilt, but it did not carry quite far enough and was caught by UNCG (18-21, 6-11 SoCon) right fielder Christian Wolfe at the fence. In the evening game, Davidson took a two-run lead into the top of the ninth inning but UNCG pulled within one, loaded the bases with two outs, and centerfielder Zach Leach worked a full count before RHP Michael Zeblo (3) was able to induce a groundout to end the threat and secure the win.

RHP Danny Mooney (4-4) held UNCG to three runs on seven hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for the win in the nightcap.

Leach gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly, but the Wildcats scored three in the fourth inning and never relinquished the advantage. The first two Davidson runs occurred on a throwing error on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt by Becker. Centerfielder Forrest Brandt (1-for-3, RBI) and second baseman Sam Foy (1-for-3) led the inning off with a walk and hit-by-pitch, respectively, and when Becker (1-for-4) attempted to move them over, he bunted it straight back to the pitcher, who attempted to get the force out at third base. However, his throw was off the mark and sailed into the UNCG bullpen underneath the bench, sending the Spartan relievers scrambling. By the time the ball was found thrown back to the infield, the bases had been cleared and Becker was standing on third base. Following an out, left fielder Lee Miller (2-for-3) singled to center to bring Becker home for a 3-1 lead.

An RBI-single by Brandt out the 'Cats up 4-1, but UNCG pulled within one in the seventh with an RBI-double by Wolfe (2-for-4, BB) and an RBI-single by first baseman Trevor Edwards (2-for-4, 2 RBI). First baseman Andrew Barna (2-for-5) drove in what proved to be an important insurance run in the bottom half of the inning though for Davidson, hitting a double to the right gap to plate third baseman David Daniels (2-for-4), who had led the inning off with a single and then stole second.

Davidson loaded the bases in the eighth but came up empty. In the ninth, Wolfe doubled to leadoff the frame and was later driven in from third by Edwards on a base hit with two outs. Zeblo walked the next two batters before Leach grounded out to end the game.

LHP Corey Taylor (0-5) suffered the loss for UNCG, allowing four runs in five innings with five strikeouts.

In the first game, the Wildcats had entered the final inning down three runs, and pulled within two on an RBI-single by Brandt. He drove in Zeblo, who had singled to lead off the frame, but it was all Davidson could muster as Becker flied out to the fence with two on and two out.

Brandt led the Wildcats going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI, Miller (1-for-3) also had two RBI, while Barna (2-for-5) hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season. Zeblo and pitcher/designated hitter Ryan Lowe joined Barna with two-hit games.

Designated hitter Lloyd Enzor drove in three UNCG runs on a 1-for-3 game with a home run and walk, while shortstop TJ Spina went 4-for-5 with three runs scored.

UNCG led for the entire game, taking advantage of a pair of Davidson errors to score in the first inning, and then adding a sacrifice fly by Marrero in the second for an early 2-0 advantage. The Spartans doubled the lead in the fourth inning with a leadoff home run by Leach and an RBI-groundout by Enzor.

Miller cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth though by driving in a pair with a single through the right side for Davidson's first two runs. Both teams scored two runs in the fifth inning as Spina hit an RBI-single and Enzor drew a bases-loaded walk for the Spartans, and Lowe (double) and Brandt (single, advanced on the throw) both had RBI hits for the Wildcats.

UNCG restored its four-run cushion in the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Enzor. Barna then homered to right field in the bottom half to pull Davidson within three.

RHP Max Povse (3-2) earned the win after allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts in six innings. RHP Ryan Clark (1) earned the save.

Lowe (3-6) worked 4 1/3 innings and allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts. RHP Durin O'Linger pitched the final 4 2/3 innings for Davidson, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five.

The two teams will decide the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m.

Notes: The mayor of Gulf Shores, Ala., Robert Kraft, threw out the first pitch before Game 1 … the doubleheader was due to Friday night's rainout.

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