TIGERVILLE, S.C. (May 16) – After rallying from a five-run deficit in the seventh, graduate student Dylan Jeffries produced the game-winning RBI single to left field to complete a 7-6 comeback victory over Wingate in the opening game of NCAA Southeast Regional at Ashmore Park on the campus of North Greenville.
With the win, the University of Mount Olive baseball program improves to 38-16 overall and will advance into the winner's bracket to play Georgia College tomorrow, Friday, May 17, at 6 p.m. The Trojans improve to 3-0 against the Bulldogs this season after earning a pair of midweek victories during the regular season. Meanwhile, Wingate drops to 33-24 this season and will face North Greenville in an elimination game at 2 p.m. on May 17.
The contest began with a pitching duel between the aces of both staffs before Wingate registered the first run of the game on an RBI fielder's choice at first base in the top of the fifth, 1-0. In the bottom half of the frame, the Trojans tied the game at 1-1 following an RBI single to left-center by senior Alden Cottle.
Wingate regained their advantage in the top of the sixth on an infield RBI single before totaling four runs on four hits, highlighted by a three-run homer to left-center, 6-1.
Mount Olive answered right back with five runs on six hits in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 6-6. Senior Vito Patierno produced a leadoff ground-rule double to right-center before the Trojans recorded three-straight singles, including another RBI single from Cottle. Redshirt junior Mike Kenney recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice to the shortstop before redshirt sophomore Anthony Mitta laced an RBI single through the left side. Redshirt freshman Jon Howard collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field with the bases loaded before senior Joshua Kabayama hit an RBI single to the shortstop.
In the top of the ninth, the Bulldogs were threatening with runners on second and third with no outs. Cottle made a diving stop down the third-base line to force a runner-down out before senior reliever Andrew Ledbetter produced an out at home on a safety squeeze. The Trojans escaped the inning with a pop-out to the shortstop.
Mount Olive began the bottom of the ninth with sophomore Lane McLean reaching base on an error before stealing second base. A sacrifice bunt from Howard moved McLean to third before Wingate intentionally walked consecutive batters. With one out, Jeffries stepped up with the bases loaded and delivered the game-winning RBI single to left field to capture the 7-6 win.
Graduate student Landon Choboy finished a perfect 4-for-4 with one run scored while McLean went 2-for-4 with one run scored and two stolen bases.
Redshirt senior Erik Johnson took a no-decision after yielding four earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 6.0 innings (112 pitches). Ledbetter earned the win (4-3) after tossing 2.0 innings of scoreless relief against the Bulldogs.
The Trojans will play in the winner's bracket tomorrow, Friday, May 17, against Georgia College at 6 p.m.
