Braves’ Gage Hammonds slides safely into home plate against the Bulldogs. Submitted Photo/Jayla Coley
By Andrew Thrift, Copy Chief
UNCP Baseball swept Catawba at home with a 13-1 win. The Braves Ethan Ott recorded a three run home run in the first inning to give the Braves all the offense it would need as they capped a nine-game home stand with a 13-1 victory over Catawba on April 12 at Sammy Cox Field.
The Braves kept the Indians at bay after racking up all of their 13 points by the end of the sixth inning. The Indians received their only point in the game during the ninth inning.
The following weekend, the Braves took on the Mount Olive Trojans on their own turf with a doubleheader on Friday and another game the next day.
During the first game, the Braves were pushed hard resulting in a first game loss, 4-2. The Braves held the lead for the first four innings, getting their two points in the first inning.
In the second game against the Trojans, the Braves avenged their loss with a 7-2 win, holding off the Trojans until the fourth inning.
This victory for the Braves snapped a four-game series losing streak and gave the Braves their first win over the Trojans since an extra-inning home win on April 16, 2003.
With a win on both sides, the Braves and Trojans took to the field the following day with the hopes of getting the final win over their opponent.
The Braves fought hard getting four points in the second inning, but sadly it was their only scoring inning. The Braves went back to Pembroke with a 5-4 loss over the Trojans.
That Tuesday, the Braves took on the number two Wingate Bulldogs at Sammy Cox Field, scoring nine points in the first inning.
Bobby Dixon and Wellington Guzman both hit homers to showcase a 9-run first inning, cruising the Braves to a 12-7 victory over the defending national champions. The Victory over Wingate started the first of a current four game win streak.
The Braves headed to Francis Marion for a three game surge of wins for the Braves. The first game was held Friday giving the Braves an 11-5 victory over the Patriots.
A relief effort from freshman Will Harris gave him his first collegiate victory after he struck out two and surrendered just two hits across four innings for the Braves. This loss for the Patriots snapped a five-game win streak that took 11 of its last 12 outings.
The following day was a doubleheader and the Patriots were ready for a fight. The Braves still took home both wins with a 3-2 win in the first game and a 4-2 win in the second.
The Braves are currently number two in conference with a 20-7 in conference win just behind North Greenville. The Braves will take on the Emmanuel College Lions at home for three games for senior day April 29-30.