Braves baseball tallied 9 runs over the seventh and eighth innings before holding WinstonSalem State scoreless in the top of the final frame to secure a 15-6 win and their third straight victory over the Rams on March 17.
The game was closely contested in the early stages despite the lopsided final score. The Rams and Braves went back and forth in a game that featured three lead changes across the fourth and fifth innings. The score was tied at 6 through the first 6 innings before the Braves tightened up late in the game.
Seth Hartings drilled a 3 RBI home run to left field to spark the scoring run and give the Braves a 9-6 lead. Roberto Rivera followed with a RBI single to cap a four run seventh inning for the Braves. After holding the Rams scoreless at the top of the eighth, the Braves improved on their last at-bat, bringing home five more runners in the frame.
Sophomore Jarratt Mobley prepares to steal a base in the Braves game-three of the Black and Gold’s series sweep of the Winston-Salem State Rams. Photo by Joshua Reed
The Braves continued to play stifling defense down the stretch, holding the Rams scoreless in the ninth to secure the victory.
“I feel like guys are starting to swing the bat again,” UNCP head coach Paul O’Neil said. The Braves won the game in large part to great volume hitting. UNCP had eight players with at least one hit during the contest as well as six players with at least two hits.
Hartings went 2-4 at the plate including the home run. Teammate Kevon Perkins hit 2-3 and both players drove home four runners a piece to highlight a great day of offense for the Braves.
“Obviously [the win] is very important to us as far as building momentum and getting ourselves going in the right direction. We’re starting to get it clicking,” O’Neil said of the Braves fourth straight victory.
The St. Patrick’s Day win caps off a 4-0 week for UNCP who improved their overall record to 17-5. The Braves continue to be nearly unstoppable at home, improving their stellar record in games played at Sammy Cox Field to 13-1.
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