Jenkins Hits Walk-Off Double to Advance Baseball in SoCon Tournament
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Luke Jenkins(Grimsley High School/Greensboro, N.C.) hit a two-run walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth with one out, as the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball team earned a 4-3 victory over seventh-seeded Western Carolina. The sixth-seeded Spartans battled the Catamounts in the opening round of the Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament presented by Holston Gases on Wednesday night at Fluor Field.
With the win in the single-elimination round, the Spartans advance to the double-elimination round and will face the third-seeded Wofford Terriers tomorrow, Thursday, May 25 at 12:30 p.m.
Zack Budzik had his fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth to start UNCG’s scoring.
Julien Peissel pitched 5.2 innings only allowing one run, giving up four hits, and striking out two batters.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher’s dual to start the game off, with both teams going scoreless through three innings.
After Budzik’s lead-off solo home run, Bradley Bott continued the scoring in the bottom of the fourth hitting a double that scored teammate Caleb Cozart from second, extending the Spartans’ advantage to 2-0.
The Catamounts countered in the top of the fifth scoring one run on a ground out to third base, cutting the deficit one run, 2-1.
UNCG’s Rob Ready came in relief for Peissel in the sixth. He tossed 1.1 innings, allowing no hits or runs with two strikeouts, keeping the Catamounts scoreless from the sixth to the eighth.
In the top of the ninth, Western Carolina saw its first lead of the game, 3-2. Jack Spyke hit an RBI single to left center driving in Landen Morrison tying the game at two. With runners on the corners, Cole Jones’ single to left field easily scored James Hinson for the advantage.
With UNCG’s last opportunity, Kennedy Jones singled to load the bases and on a 2-1 count, Jenkins hit his fifth double of the season to score the tying and game-winning run, 3-2.
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL 2023 SoCon Baseball Tournament Central
ON DECK
UNCG continues SoCon Tournament play against No. 3 Wofford on Thursday, May 25th at 12:30 p.m. at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C.
Courtesy of Kelly Couse
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro