USAS Baseball: Greensboro Advances 5-1

#3 GC 5, #6 Ferrum 1
Poholsky pitches 8 innings and gets the win; Donaldson and Poindexter hit home runs for The Pride.

BURLINGTON, N.C. – Third-seeded Greensboro held No. 6 Ferrum to just six hits Thursday afternoon on its way to a 5-1 victory in the opening round of the USA South Conference baseball Tournament at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Ferrum took the early lead in the top of the first after junior outfielder DJ Phillips singled up the middle and stole second. Senior catcher Nick Baker singled back up the middle for Phillips to move to third before senior third baseman Eric Harrell hit the RBI single to center for Phillips to score.

Greensboro tied the game in the bottom of the first on an unearned run. Sophomore third baseman Alex Guerra reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a throwing error. Guerra moved to third on a groundout and scored on senior left fielder Anthony Corona’s single through the right side.

Sophomore right fielder Tyler O’Neill led off second with a triple to right center and freshman catcher Lyle Donaldson gave the Pride a two run lead with a home run over the left field wall. Greensboro added another run in the fifth after Guerra drew the one-out walk. Junior shortstop Jacob Tomb singled through the right side to move Guerra to second. Corona found the same spot to allow Guerra to score on the single for the 4-1 Pride lead. Senior first baseman Daniel Poindexter added a solo shot in the seventh for the four run advantage.

Phillips tried to spark a two-out rally with a triple to right center in the top of the ninth but was left stranded for Greensboro to secure the 5-1 win.

Torrey Poholsky (5-1) earned the win for Greensboro in 8.0 innings pitched scattering five hits with eight strikeouts. Kevin Showe finished the game in the ninth.

Brian Mays (0-4) drew the loss for the Panthers in six innings with three earned runs.

GC record 25-12; Streak W5; vs. NCWC, 4/18, 9:30 a.m. at Elon Univ. Game scheduled to be on PrideTV at: http://www.ustream.tv/gcpride

Follow the tournament action at: http://www.methodist.edu/monarchs/baseball/2008usasouth.htm