Davidson College
21-10, 11-3
Samford
21-14, 7-4
Samford Edges Davidson, 6-5
4/12/2014 6:09:00 PM | Baseball
DAVIDSON, N.C. – A three-run home run by Heath Quinn in the fifth inning led Samford past Davidson, 6-5, in Southern Conference baseball action Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Designated hitter Ryan Lowe went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI to lead Davidson (21-10, 11-3 SoCon) offensively, and he reached base on an error in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Wildcats attempted to rally back from the one-run deficit. Centerfielder Forrest Brandt (1-for-3, BB), who homered in the third inning, sacrificed him to second base, but Lowe was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice when shortstop Tyler Filliben (2-for-5, 2 R, RBI) made a great play on a ball right fielder Nathan Becker (1-for-5) tried to hit through the left side.
RHP Andres Gracia (10) was then able to induce another fielder's choice to secure the win for Samford (21-14, 7-4 SoCon).
The Bulldogs managed just five hits, but were aided by four Davidson errors that resulted in three unearned runs. RHP Danny Mooney started for the Wildcats and went 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts, and was relieved by RHP Clark Beeker (2-1) who went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Lowe retired the final two Samford batters.
Samford trailed 3-2 entering the fifth, but scored four runs in the frame on an RBI-single by Filliben and Quinn's home run for a 6-3 lead. RBI-singles by third baseman David Daniels (1-for-5) and Lowe in the sixth inning pulled Davidson back within a run, but RHP Mark Donham struck out four and allowed just one hit over the next 2.1 innings after getting out of the sixth with one pitch and holding the 'Cats scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings.
RHP Jared Brasher (2-2) earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Davidson got on the scoreboard first, scoring two runs in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk by leftfielder Lee Miller (1-for-2, 2 BB) and a sacrifice fly by catcher Daniel Gerow (1-for-3). Samford tied the game in the top of the third inning when three Davidson errors led to two unearned runs. Brandt's sixth home run of the season, a towering shot to left field in the third inning, gave the 'Cats what would prove to be their final lead of the game.
The two teams will conclude the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. RHP Nick Neitzel (5-0, 2.52 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Davidson, while RHP Alex Milazzo (3-1, 6.69 ERA) is slated to pitch for Samford.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jared Brasher (2-2)
L: Beeker, Clark (2-1)
S: Andres Gracia (10)
Batting:
2B: Tyler Filliben 1 ; Brandon Powell 1
HR: Heath Quinn 1
RBI: T.J. Dixon 1 ; Tyler Filliben 1 ; Heath Quinn 3
SH: T.J. Dixon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tyler Filliben 2 ; Drew McWhorter 1 ; Heath Quinn 1 ; Hunter Swilling 2
SB: T.J. Dixon 1
HBP: Caleb Bryson 1
Batting:
2B: Lowe, Ryan 1 ; Becker, Nathan 1 ; Gerow, Daniel 1
HR: Brandt, Forrest 1
RBI: Daniels, David 1 ; Lowe, Ryan 1 ; Brandt, Forrest 1 ; Miller, Lee 1 ; Gerow, Daniel 1
SH: Brandt, Forrest 1 ; Arkin, Ben 1
SF: Gerow, Daniel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Pope, Andrew 1 ; Brandt, Forrest 1 ; Becker, Nathan 1 ; Foy, Sam 1 ; Arkin, Ben 1
HBP: Foy, Sam 1 ; Arkin, Ben 1
