Concord Takes Two From Bluefield State, 5-3, 2-1

ATHENS, W.Va. – Behind strong starting pitching, the Concord University baseball team began the 2023 season with a doubleheader sweep of Bluefield State Saturday afternoon at Anderson Field, 5-3 and 2-1.

Bluefield State is 2-3 after Saturday while Concord is 2-0.

Game 1: Concord 5 – Bluefield State 3
A four-run fifth-inning helped the Mountain Lions break open an early pitching duel.

Concord broke the ice in the bottom of the fourth before Bluefield State answered with a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out for junior infielder Chris Satcher to unload them. His double to left field brought in graduate outfielder Kyle Keenan, junior infielder Zack Saryeldin and senior catcher Hunter Steel. Two batters later, junior infielder Daniel Layne slapped a single into left field to plate Satcher.

Sophomore infielder/pitcher MJ Hunter posted a zero in the sixth inning. Bluefield State was able to score two runs in the top of the seventh, but Hunter struck out the final batter of the game that represented the tying run.

Senior pitcher Andrew Neff (1-0) controlled the BSU lineup over the first five innings. He scattered four hits and one run while striking out nine.

Graduate outfielder Josh Adkins recorded two hits to go with two stolen bases. Satcher had three RBI.

Game 2: Concord 2 – Bluefield State 1
Junior pitcher Eddie Blake backed up Neff's strong outing with an equally good start.

The Big Blues struck first with their only run off Blake in the third inning.

Concord's first run was manufactured after a leadoff triple by Hunter in the fourth inning, the Christiansburg, Virginia scored two batters later on an RBI ground out.

Blake used a double play ball to get out of the fifth inning, and his offense came up with a score in the bottom half of the frame. Saryeldin reached on a double to start the inning. A bunt from Adkins pushed Saryeldin to third before he scored on a ground out.

Blake (1-0) exited after five innings as he surrendered just three hits and the lone run while striking out six and walking none.

Sophomore pitcher/infielder Rylee Nicholas secured the win by going three up, three down in the final two innings, recording three strikeouts along the way, for his second career save.


Satcher had two hits, including a double.
Concord continues its 16-game homestand to open the season as it welcomes Pitt-Johnstown to Anderson Field February 18-19.