Greensboro College Athletics Update:March 11, 2017

*****Courtesy of Wes Gullett, Greensboro College Sports Information*****

Hutchinson Secures All-American Status While Advancing to Day 2 Of NCAA Tournament

La CROSSE, Wisc. – Kacee Hutchinson became Greensboro College’s first ever All-American after going 2-1 on Day 1 of the 2017 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament Friday.

Hutchinson, who was seeded eighth going into the tournament, defeated Devin Mahnke from MSOE via an 11-8 decision to open the tournament to setup a matchup against the top seeded Riley LeFever from Wabash College.

Lefever, who is the three-time defending national champion at 197-lbs, scored an early two-point takedown before Hutchinson got a one-point escape eight seconds later.

After falling behind 6-1 later in the opening period, Hutchinson recorded another escape point before suffering a fall defeat with 29 second showing on the clock.

Hutchinson then rebounded back with a major decision victory over Wheaton’s Michael Swider to advance in the consolation bracket, while also securing at least an eighth place finish and All-American status.

“Kacee had a great day today,” Head Coach Erik Wince said. “He came out solid and put points on the board early which secured him his first win. Unfortunately, he ran into a buzz saw in LeFever in the quarters but he was able to rebound in his consolation match to secure his spot on the podium with a solid shutout victory.

“Kacee still has work to do in the morning but we are extremely proud of his performance thus far.”

Hutchinson will return to the national stage for Day 2 Saturday. For more information on Greensboro College wrestling and Hutchison’s run in the national tournament, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.

Women’s Tennis Falls to Royals, 7-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College women’s team fell to Johnson College Friday, 7-2.

The Pride dropped all three doubles matches to fall behind 3-0 before Caroline Price (No. 3) and Lauren Ellis (No. 4) picked up singles victories.

Price won by scores of 6-2 and 6-1, while Ellis won by scores of 6-2 and 6-4.

Rachel Hamilton fell in a tightly contested match at No. 2-singles, while Jennifer Allen, Hannah Clayton, and Sarah Drummond also competed for Greensboro.

“The girls fought hard and Lauren was able to pick up her third win in the past four matches,” Head Coach Randy Alexander said. “Every played as hard as they could today and I was really happy about that as they continue to improve.”

The Pride women will return to action at 1:30 p.m. Thursday when they host Ferrum College. For more information on Greensboro College women’s tennis, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.

Men’s Tennis Tops Johnson, 7-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College men’s tennis team picked up their second consecutive victory Friday by defeating Johnson College, 7-2.

The Pride took a 2-1 lead into single play after winning two doubles matches. The No. 1 doubles team of Carlos Barragan and Daniel Peace won 8-2, while Justin Kimball and Warren Washington won at No. 2 doubles by a 8-4 score.

In singles play, Barragan (No. 1), Peace (No. 2), Kimball (No. 3), Washington (No. 4), and Ryan Mule (No. 5) each picked up singles victories.

“The guys were able to pick up their second consecutive win after getting a 2-1 lead following doubles play,” Head Coach Randy Alexander said. “Carlos and Daniel were also able to win their singles matches, while Justin got his first win of the season.

“The guys played extremely well all day.”

The Pride men will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday when they host Methodist University. For more information on Greensboro College men’s tennis, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.

Amador Powers Pride To Doubleheader Split With Methodist

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College baseball team opened a three-game USA South Athletic Conference series with Methodist University Friday with a doubleheader split.

The Pride took Game 1 by a 6-4 score before falling in Game 2, 13-6.

“Piero came out with a lot of energy and helped lead us to a victory to open the day,” Assistant Coach Chris Fenisey said. “Our guys have been versatile the entire year and that has allowed us to do some creative things to win ball games.

“We have an opportunity to win a series tomorrow but we have to continue to make adjustments to get better but our guys always compete for a full nine innings.”

Game 1 Recap

Methodist took a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning before the Pride plated five runs to establish a three run lead.

Christian Kercado plated Edward Milian from third base with a single to center field before Ryan Campbell plated Bram Johnson and Cameron Peters to give the Pride a one run lead.

Later in the inning, Campbell came in to score the final run of the inning on a Willis Booth single to centerfield.

The Pride then extended their lead to 6-2 in the sixth inning on a Jimmy Short single.

Methodist was able to strike for two runs in the eighth inning before Piero Amador shut the door for a complete game victory.

“I knew that I wanted to go a full nine innings today,” Amador said. “I just pitched to contact and my defense played well behind me to allow me to do so.”

Amador finished the game with 13 strikeouts while allowing four runs. Brayden King and Johnson had two-hits each, while Booth, Short, Milian, Kercado, and Campbell had one hit each.

Game 2 Recap
The Monarchs took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning before Jimmy Short blasted a solo homerun over the right field wall to get the Pride on the board.

Methodist then scored another run in the fifth inning before Greensboro rallied back to take a 5-4 lead in the bottom half of the inning after plating four runs.

Short plated King from third base after reaching on an error before being stranded on third base later in the inning. Milian then followed Short with a bases loaded walk to score Booth from third base.

As the inning progressed, the Pride got an RBI hit from Peters before adding another run on a second Monarchs error.

After Greensboro established the lead, Methodist outscored Greensboro 9-1 over the final three innings to secure the seven-run victory. Daniel Efrid was credited with the Pride’s final RBI with a single to left field.

King, Campbell, Short, Peters, and Kercado had two hits each in the loss. Josh Evans pitched the first six innings before giving way to the Greensboro bullpen. Cameron Whitson was credited with the loss.

The Pride baseball team will wrap up its three-game set with the Monarchs at 12 p.m. Saturday. For more information on Greensboro College baseball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.

Women’s Lacrosse Battles Back to Beat Virginia Wesleyan

NORFOLK, Va. – Peyton Joyce and Devan Macheras combined for three goals in the last nine minutes of the game to give the Pride women’s lacrosse team a 14-12 victory over Virginia Wesleyan Friday.

The Marlins took an early 3-0 lead before Joyce tallied her first goal off an assist from Natalie Ritchey.

Christina SanGiacamo then scored the Pride’s second goal to pull Greensboro to within one goal with 12:02 showing on the first half clock.

The Marlins then responded with two more goals to regain the three-goal advantage before Kara Whitson found the back of the net off a Joyce assist to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Joyce then scored two more goals over the next four minutes of play, while Ritchey and Walston found the back of the net to put the Pride on top 7-5.

However, the Marlins would score two more goals to tie the game at seven going into halftime.

Just minutes into the second half, Virginia Wesleyan regained the lead before Mackenzie Flemmons tied the game once again with an unassisted goal.

The two teams then traded goals of the next several minutes before the Marlins took a 12-11 lead with 8:53 remaining in the game.

Over the final eight minutes of play, Joyce would strike for her two final goals while Devan Macheras also found the back of the net as the Pride secured the two-goal victory.

Joyce and Ritchey had a team-high eight shots each, while Kianna Anderson would get the victory in net, making seven saves.

The Pride women will return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday when they travel to Hollins University. For more information on Greensboro College women’s lacrosse, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.