HIGH POINT, N.C. – Presbyterian College scored two runs in the top of the ninth to rally past the High Point University baseball team 3-1 on Saturday night at Williard Stadium. The Big South series is tied 1-1 and the teams will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for the rubber game.
“We lost this game in the first and second innings,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “We didn’t score when we had the opportunity and allowed their pitcher to settle in and get comfortable. When you don’t take advantage of situations early things don’t always go your way late in the game.”
Freshman Joe Goodman took his first loss of the season, allowing the two-RBI double to Nathan Chong in the ninth inning. He pitched three innings of relief, allowing two runs on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He stands at 5-1 this season.
Gabe Grammar picked up the win for the Blue Hose, his second of the season. He pitched the final two innings of the game. He also drew a one-out walk from Goodman in the ninth inning and scored the game-winning run.
Junior Matt Armstead gave the Panthers a solid start. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits and finished the night with five strikeouts.
The Panthers left 12 men on base in the game, including five in the first two innings. The Panthers also loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but failed to score a run.
Junior Devin Bujnovsky scored in the second inning to put HPU ahead, 1-0. Bujnovsky singled up the middle and came around to score when Sean Wilson reached on an error. Wilson hit a routine ground ball but PC third baseman Jay Lizanitch could not field it cleanly and Wilson beat the throw, allowing Bujnovsky to score. High Point threatened to score more runs but a runner interference call forced a double play and halted the rally.
PC’s Kenny Bryant tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning when he hit a homerun over the right-center wall.
High Point also put runners on the corners with one out in the first inning. PC starter Chandler Knox got Ryan Retz and Ryne Rush to fly out to get out of the jam. The Panthers put a runner on base in every inning but the seventh.
Knox tossed seven innings for the Blue Hose, allowing just one unearned run. He walked one and struck out five while allowing seven hits.
The Panthers will wrap up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Junior Jacob Newberry will be the starting pitcher for High Point.