DURHAM, N.C. – The Saint Joseph's baseball team scored eight runs over a three-inning stretch to come from behind and top North Carolina Central, 12-7, at Durham Athletic Park on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• North Carolina Central (3-9) opened up an early lead as a two-run home run by Luis DeLeon in the first and an RBI single by Nick Fajardo in the second staked the Eagles to a 3-0 lead.
•
Nate Thomas got the Hawks on the board in the third with an RBI double that brought home
Jake Artz.
• Saint Joseph's (5-4) took the lead in the fourth.Â
Luke Zimmerman hit a two-run home run to draw the Hawks level before Thomas hit an RBI single that scored Artz and gave SJU a 4-3 lead.
• It would be short-lived, however, as the Eagles jumped back in front in the bottom of the frame on a two-run single by Carter Williams; NC Central would extend the lead to 6-4 after an error in the fifth.
• The Hawks would take over from there, going ahead to stay in the sixth. Zimmerman would score on an error to make it a one-run game before a sacrifice fly by
Liam Bendo tied things at 6-6. Another error would allow Thomas to score the go-ahead run later in the inning.
• Thomas would drive in two more with a single in the seventh before an RBi groundout by
Tim Cavanaugh extended the lead to 10-6.
• Zimmerman struck again wtih a two-run double in the eighth; DeLeon would then knock in a run with a groundout in the bottom of the ninth to set the final margin.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
•
Mike Falco earned his first win, tossing two and a third innings of shutout relief. Ryan Decker was charged with the loss after allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning.
• Neither starter figured into the decision, as
Ryan Devine allowed six runs in four and two-thirds innings for SJU, while Alex Sniffen gave up four runs in three and two-thirds innings.
• Thomas and Zimmerman each drove in four runs for the Hawks, while Artz scored four times on the day. Thomas led the Hawks with three hits, while Artz and Zimmerman both notched two.
• The Eagles were charged with seven errors in the game, which led to 10 unearned runs.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will go for the sweep on Sunday. Game time in Durham is set for 1:00 p.m.