High Point University Baseball Falls in Finale of Keith LeClair Classic

Site: Greenville, N.C. (Clark-LeClair Stadium)
Score: #17 East Carolina 13, High Point 1
W: Jake Kuchmaner (3-0), L: Joe Johnson (1-1)
Records: ECU 8-3, HPU 5-7
Next HPU Event: Tuesday, March 3 — vs. Virginia Tech (Williard Stadium, High Point, N.C.), 4 p.m.

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team fell in the final game of the Keith LeClair Classic 13-1 to East Carolina University on Sunday (March 1). The Panthers’ lone run came off the bat of freshman Cole Singsank to plate senior Joe Johnson.

High Point kept the Pirates off the board in the first inning but ECU hit a solo shot to right in the second to break the tie and added another with two outs.

The Panthers had their first scoring chance in the top of the third, loading the bases with two outs. Trevor Omahen hit a bloop single to left field for his first hit of the season with one out and Brady Pearre singled to center with two outs. Travis Holt reached base for the second time in the game with a walk to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the inning before any runs could cross. ECU took advantage of holding the Panthers scoreless in the inning and put up five runs in the bottom of the third to lead 7-0 after three.

HPU scored its only run of the game in the sixth, started by a leadoff double by Johnson. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home when Singsank singled through the right side of the infield. High Point loaded the bases once again, but three quick outs retired the side before the Purple and White were able to bring more runs in.

The Pirates responded with three more runs in the bottom half of the inning, combined with a homer in the fifth, to push their lead to 11-1 after six. ECU tacked on two more in the seventh for the final runs of the game.

High Point is back in action on Tuesday (March 3) when Virginia Tech comes to town for a 4 p.m. game. The game is the start of an eight-game homestand for the Panthers that will see the Hokies, James Madison, UNCG, and USC Upstate occupy the third-base dugout at Williard Stadium.