HiToms Rally Late, Edge Asheboro

THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Des Roberts notched three hits and the bottom of the order added insurance as the High Point-Thomasville HiToms beat the Asheboro Copperheads, 5-2. It’s the HiToms’ fourth win over Asheboro this season.

After Asheboro (10-10) took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth, it was HiToms left fielder Des Roberts (rs jr., UNC-Charlotte) who drove in the tying run with a two-out RBI single. In the bottom of the sixth, Weston Wilson (fr., Clemson) led off the frame with a single to right field. Two batters later, his classmate Glen Batson (rs fr., Clemson) ripped a RBI single to left, giving the HiToms a 2-1 lead.

The Copperheads tied the game in the bottom in the top of the seventh when Eric Ferguson slapped a two-out RBI single to center field. However, Josh Ingram (jr., Central Oklahoma) led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field – his first hit as a HiTom. He then came around to score on an Asheboro throwing error giving the HiToms a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, High Point-Thomasville (8-10) put the game away with solo home runs from Austin Crutcher (jr., Bellarmine) and Cody Brittain (so., USC Upstate) before Laetten Galbraith pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season.

Starting pitcher Preston Johnson (rs jr., South Carolina) earned a no-decision, but notched a quality start going six innings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Reliever Eric Sharff (fr., Delaware State, 1-0) pitched a scoreless inning with three punchouts in relief to earn his first win of the year.

The HiToms hit the road on Thursday to face the Florence RedWolves. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.