CHARLESTON, S.C. – The High Point University baseball team scored three runs in the eighth but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling to Charleston Southern 6-5 in the final game of the Big South series. Freshman Mike Medzianowski hit his first career homer in the game.
“Obviously we are happy to win the series,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “But we aren’t ready to be a championship team. Championship teams recognize the situations they have to execute to win tight games. If we start to recognize those moments and continue to improve over the course of the season we have a great chance at a Big South Championship.’
HPU had runners on first and second in the top of the eighth inning when the teams were forced to clear the field because of lightning. After a 43-minute delay Devin Bujnovsky loaded the bases with a walk from reliever Corey Deighan. Josh Spano had a pinch-hit RBI single and Dane McDermott singled in another run to make it 6-4. Sean Wilson worked a bases loaded walk to cut the lead to one run. Deighan got Willie Medina to fly out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Deighan picked up the save, his second of the season to help Charleston Southern improve to 8-17 (1-2 Big South. The Panthers stand at 16-10 (2-1 Big South).
Charlie McCready got the win for the Buccs. He allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 7-1/3 innings. He is 3-2 this season. He was still on the mound when the rain delay started.
Freshman Mike Miedzianowski hit his first career home run in the second inning to give HPU a 2-0 lead. Miedzianowski took the 0-1 pitch from McCready over the leftfield wall. The homer scored Spencer Angelis who was hit by a pitch.
The Buccaneers scored six runs in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the weekend. Walt Quattlebaum doubled to right with one out to start the rally, coming around to score on a single by Alex Tomasovich. It looked like Wilson had thrown Quattlebaum out at the plate but he managed to avoid the tag for the first run of the inning. Five straight basehits added to the Buccs rally and they led 6-2 at the end of four innings.
HPU starter Jacob Newberry went 6-2/3 innings, taking the loss, to drop to 3-1 this season. He allowed six runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Seven of the nine hits he allowed came in the fourth inning.
Senior Sal Pezzino was 2-4 with a run scored and McDermott went 2-4 with one RBI. Jaime Schultz pitched the final 1-1/3 innings of the game. He struck out two batters while allowing two hits.
High Point returns to action against Wake Forest on Tuesday at Williard Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The Panthers beat WFU 16-15 earlier this season on the road.