HPU Baseball Cruises Past LIU Brooklyn In Game One Of Double Header

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team scored in every inning but one, on the way to a 14-3 win over the Long Island University-Brooklyn Blackbirds at Williard Stadium on Sunday in game one of a double-header. The Panthers picked up the series win with a stellar 6-2/3 inning performance from redshirt-junior Sean Townsley.

“We had a really good approach at the plate today,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “It was good to see guys grinding out at-bats and getting production from every spot in the lineup. I was very proud of Sean Townsley. He got us deep in to the game and allowed us to conserve the bullpen. This weekend will be complete if they come out and get the sweep.”

Townsley picked up his first win as a Panther. He allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and an impressive seven strikeouts including three straight strikeouts in the second inning.

Sophomore catcher Josh Spano went 3-3 on the day with one run and two walks and senior designated hitterScott Glover had three RBI on 2-3 hitting.

High Point broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning. Graduate student Adam Barry and senior Sean Wilson were hit by pitches and freshman Brett Gemmell reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Glover took the 3-1 pitch from Jordan Wilcox off the right field wall to score three runs.

Wilcox took the loss for the Blackbirds dropping to 0-1 on the season. He allowed six runs, four earned, on six hits with two walks in five innings of work.

High Point scored one run in each of the first three innings. Senior Willie Medina manufactured HPU’s run in the first inning. He reached on a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third, and came home on a passed ball.

Townsley cruised through the second inning with three straight strikeouts. The Panthers added a run in the second inning. Sophomore Dane McDermott picked up his first hit of the season with a single to right to score Wilson. The Panthers tacked on a run in the third inning when Barry scored on a groundout to give HPU a 3-0 lead.

LIU fought back in the fourth inning. John Ziznewski doubled in a run and came around to score to get LIU within one, 3-2.

Glover’s three-run double in the fifth gave HPU a cushion. They added eight runs in the final three innings including five in the eighth. Wilson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Freshman Sly Edwards and McDermott walked to push in runs.

Senior Kyle Wigmore and senior Cody Ferguson combined for 2-1/3 hitless out of the bullpen for the Panthers.

Barry finished the game 1-3 with three runs scored and one RBI. Wilson scored four runs and drove in two. McDermott was 1-3 with three RBI.