'Cats Power Past App for Series, Record 15th SoCon Win

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BOONE, N.C. – Forrest Brandt hit two home runs in the first two innings as part of a 4-for-5 effort, leading Davidson to a 15-9, series-clinching victory over Appalachian State, and its record 15th Southern Conference baseball win of the season, Sunday afternoon in Smith Stadium.

Davidson (25-12, 15-4 SoCon) extended its record streak of SoCon series victories to nine, claiming its first over Appalachian State (16-26, 9-8 SoCon) since 2005 and its first in Boone since 2004. The Wildcats' 15th SoCon win of the season broke the record of 14 set in 2000.

The 'Cats matched a season high with four home runs in the game, as catcher Daniel Gerow (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs) and left fielder Lee Miller (2-for-3, BB, 3 RBIs) homered in addition to Brandt's pair. Nine of Davidson's 15 runs were driven in on the home runs, and the 'Cats now have 40 on the season to best last season's total of 39.

Davidson roared out to an 8-0 lead after the top of the second inning behind three home runs, including Brandt's two. Appalachian State came within three runs behind a five-run second inning, but Davidson extended its lead to 10 before App scored the final four runs of the game.

RHP Clark Beeker (3-2) threw 5.1 innings in relief to get the win, striking out a career-high eight batters and allowing just one run on four hits and a walk.

Second baseman Dillon Dobson (3-for-5, RBI) and third baseman Michael Pierson (3-for-5, 4 RBIs) led the Mountaineers offensively, as both homered.

Second baseman Andrew Pope (2-for-5) and first baseman David Daniels (2-for-6, RBI) led the game off with singles, and with one out, Brandt, who finished the day with four RBIs, slugged a home run to the left gap for a 3-0 lead.

Gerow led off the scoring in the second inning. With Miller on, he hit his second home run of the season. Daniels then drove home Pope, who reached on a hit-by-pitch, with an RBI-triple, and he scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Ryan Lowe (1-for-4). Brandt capped the scoring with his second home run in as many innings, and his ninth of the season.

Appalachian State fought back into the game in the bottom of the second inning, matching the Wildcats' five runs. Dobson led the inning off with a first-pitch home run, and Pierson drove in the final runs of the frame with a two-RBI double to right. Davidson turned to Beeker to get the final out.

An RBI-double by Gerow in the third made it a 9-5 game, and then a sacrifice fly by shortstop Sam Foy (0-for-4) and a two-RBI single by third baseman Ben Arkin (1-for-5) made it 12-5. Miller blasted a three-run home run to right field in the sixth for a 15-5 advantage.

Beeker did not allow his first run until the seventh inning on a solo home run by Pierson. With Beeker out of the game in the eighth, the Mountaineers scored three runs to pull within six for the final margin.

LHP Jeffrey Springs (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing the first nine runs in three innings.

Eight of nine Davidson batters had hits, as the Wildcats totaled 16 for the game after totaling 18 Saturday.

Halfway through an eight-game road stretch, Davidson is scheduled to next play at Winthrop Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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