ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University baseball team scored 11 of its 14 runs in the second and third inning as it took a 14-3 non-conference game from Salem Tuesday afternoon at Anderson Field.
A seven-run second-inning rally started after CU (15-7) loaded the bases—on two bunt singles and a hit by pitch—before junior outfielder
Ryan Fralin lined a double to the left center field gap to bring in two runs. After senior catcher
Jordan Clark scored on a groundout, junior outfielder
Adam Linkous punched a single to bring in a fourth run. With the bases loaded again, senior outfielder
Evan Webb had two of his six RBI with a line base hit to center field. Junior infielder
Nathan Neff capped the scoring with a RBI single to right field.
With two runs already in during the third inning, Webb drove a two-out, two-run triple to the left center gap to push CU up 11-0 on Salem (21-15).
The run support was plenty for freshman pitcher
Sidney Willis, who was making his first career start. The Tazewell, Virginia native allowed just one hit over the first four innings while striking out six batters. SU finally solved Willis in the fifth as it tallied two runs, but Willis ended the inning and his time on the mound with his ninth strikeout to minimize the rally.
Willis moved to 1-1 on the season as he allowed two runs on four hits while fanning nine batters.
The Mountain Lions added three more runs in the seventh with Webb driving home two runs on a bases-loaded single with one out. Neff followed with a run-scoring hit through the right side.
Salem plated a run in the ninth for the final margin of victory.
Concord recorded 16 hits as all nine starters had at least one hit. Neff, senior infielder
Brett Simmons and Webb each had three hits. With his six RBI, Webb set a new career single-game high. Fralin and Neff each had two RBI.
CU travels to Davis & Elkins for 3:00 p.m. first pitch Wednesday.
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