ATHENS, W.Va. - The Concord University baseball team split a doubleheader against Salem, winning the first game 5-2 before falling in game two 13-10, Saturday afternoon at Anderson Field in non-conference action.
Game 1: Concord 5 - Salem 2
CU took the lead in the bottom of the third and never gave it back as it rolled to a three-run win.
After a scoreless first inning, Salem struck first in the second inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead.
The Mountain Lion bats sprung to life in the bottom half of the third. With freshman outfielder
Jared Lavergne reaching on a walk and junior infielder
Nick DiSanti singling, senior outfielder
Korbin Bostic delivered with a single to right center field that tied the game at 1-1. Senior infielder
Tyson Burke recorded a sacrifice fly to push across DiSanti to give Concord the lead.
After a quiet fourth, the Mountain Lions went back to work in bottom of the fifth.
Senior infielder
Matthew DiSanti laced a leadoff double to right center field. Two more Mountain Lions reached to load the bases for Burke who answered the call yet again driving in a pair with a two-run single. A double steal later in the inning pushed the advantage to 5-1 as Bostic came across the plate.
The five runs were more than enough for senior pitcher Kerry Colins who was stellar in his start. He went the distance on the mound, tossing seven innings and striking out four. Collins gave up four hits and two runs as he improved to 1-2 this season.
N. DiSanti finished with a 2-for-2 day including a pair of runs and a walk. Bostic went 1-for-1 with an RBI single and two walks. Burke powered the offense with three RBI.
Game 2: Salem 13 - Concord 10
The nightcap turned into an offensive shootout with Salem outlasting the Mountain Lions.
After Salem plated the game's first run in the top of the first, Concord busted out with five runs in the bottom half. Bostic tied the game at 1-1 before sophomore utility
Dawson Maynard stroked an RBI double. A third-straight, run-scoring hit came from senior infielder
Sam Stowe who brought in Bostic and Maynard on a two-RBI single. The rally still wasn't done as with two outs sophomore utility
Braylen Baker scored Stowe with a base knock to right field.
The Tigers got right back in the game, tying it at 5-5 after the second inning.
The Mountain Lions kept the offensive production going in the bottom of the second to take the lead right back. Bostic plated N. DiSanti and freshman outfielder
Jared Lavergne with a double to center field. He came in later to score on an RBI single by freshman catcher Brently Laughter.
The three-run advantage held up until five straight runs from Salem pushed the Tigers ahead 10-8 through 4.5 innings
CU loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, but could only get one run across—on a balk.
The Tigers put up three more in the top half of the seventh to make it 13-9.
Down to their last out, the Mountain Lions battled. Three straight hits from M. DiSanti, Lavergne and N. DiSanti gave Concord a chance. Bostic launched a ball to deep left field that narrowly stayed in the park to end the game with Salem winning 13-10.
Freshman pitcher
Gavin Dow (0-1) was dealt the loss. He went 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs. Junior pitcher
Jake Robinson started the game as he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings.
The Mountain Lions host Point Park for a Mountain East Conference doubleheader Sunday starting at 12:00 p.m. at Anderson Field.
