Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
The UNC Pembroke Braves baseball team took on the Claflin University Panthers in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon. The Braves kept their hot streak going and lit up the scoreboard putting up crooked numbers en route to a 21-5 win. The Braves improved to 7-0 on the season with the win.
Morgan Padgett got things started for the Braves with a triple down the right field line bringing home a runner. Joey Rezek brought home a runner with an RBI single, and Chase Hudson hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0 and a wild pitch brought Carlos Amezquita home to put UNCP up 4-0 heading into the second inning.
The Panthers managed to get on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning with a pair of RBIs to cut the Braves lead in half 4-2. The Braves picked back up the scoring in the bottom half of the inning with a runner advancing home due to a balk, Michael Dolberry II brought one runner home with an RBI double and Hudson brought some runners home with a double of his own making it 8-2.
Heading into the fourth inning the Braves added to their lead in the third off a wild pitch, they broke open the scoring in the bottom of the inning three straight runs off errors by the Panthers making it 12-2 and then Dolberry II hit a two-run shot to center field adding the score to 14-2. Hudson had a single of his own, Ashton Donathan hit a single to the short-stop bringing home a runner. The Braves finished off the fourth with a load bases walk and a wild pitch making it 18-2 UNCP.
The Panthers capitalized off a few errors by the Braves to put four up on the scoreboard for Claflin. Blake Hinson hit a sacrifice fly, Kasen McCawley scored on a wild pitch and Hudson was hit by a pitch on a load bases situation to add to UNCP’s lead with 21-4. Dwight Priest Jr hit an RBI single to bring home a runner to make it 21-5 but the damage was already done as the Braves came away with the win.
Many pitchers were on the mound for the Braves, starting with Jarred Lindholm pitching two innings, giving up one hit and two runs while striking out two batters and walking two batters. Taylor Batten was given the win for the Braves going one inning giving up zero runs and zero hits while striking out three batters. HL Smith had three strikeouts and one walked in one inning, David Warth had two strikeouts and one batter walked in two innings pitched, Rhett James and Rhett Burley each pitched one inning and struck out three batters each.
The Braves will host a three-game series against the IUP Crimson Hawks. A doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday’s game time is TBA pending inclement weather.
Women’s Golf
The UNC Pembroke women’s golf team placed 16th as a team at the LMU Intercollegiate held at the Golf Club at South Hampton in St.Augustine, Florida. As a team the Braves finished with a score of 333-327-329-989.
For the individual scoring both Chessa Lee and Emerson Bartley both finished in a tie for 39th place with a score of (+25). Toni Blackwell finished with a performance of 10-over-par 82 (+35) and placed 65th. Michelle Guerra Linda placed 81st at (+45) and Lauren Locklear finished 86th with a score of (+61) to round out scoring.
The Braves will head to the Dunes West Golf & River Club in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to compete in the Low Tide Intercollegiate on Feb. 26th.