HIGH POINT, N.C. – The William and Mary baseball suffered a 6-3 setback on Saturday afternoon at High Point. The Panthers used a four-run bottom of the third inning to spark the victory. With the loss, W&M falls to 3-3 on the season, while HPU improves to 2-4.
High Point erupted for four runs in the home half of the third inning. Jordan Spano led off the frame with a solo shot to left field. Back-to-back walks to Brett Gemmell and Spencer Angelis, and a single by Cody Manzella loaded the bases. Gemmell came home to score on an error. The third run of the inning came in on a fielder's choice, which was the second out of the inning. Chris Clare singled into left field plating Manzella and giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead.
The Tribe responded with a run in the top half of the fourth inning. With one out, senior Ryan Lindemuth singled, advancing to third when junior Michael Katz reached on an error. Lindemuth came around to score a sacrifice fly by senior Willie Shaw.
High Point added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Angelis led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, moving second on a sacrifice bunt by Manzella. With two outs, Dane McDermott singled into right field, plating Angelis and giving High Point a 5-1 advantage.
The Panthers added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Tim Mansfield and Gemmel each singled, advancing 90 feet on a wild pitch. Angelis then singled in the infield to score Mansfield.
William and Mary didn't go away quietly in the top of the ninth inning. With one out, Lindemuth and Katz each reached on back-to-back singles. Pinch-hitter sophomore Devin White then roped a double to center field scoring both Lindemuth and Katz. The runs cut High Point's lead to 6-3.
Sophomore starting pitcher Mitchell Aker tossed five innings and was saddled with the loss. He gave up eight hits, four runs (two earned), and struck out two. Mike Krumm went 8.2 innings for High Point to pick up the win. He scattered six hits and gave up three runs, with five strikeouts. Conor Lourey got the final out of the game to earn the save. Junior J.T. Castner pitched the final three innings for the Tribe, scattering five hits and giving up two runs.
Lindemuth finished the day 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Devin White picked up his first two RBIs of the season.
The College and High Point conclude their three-game series tomorrow Sunday, Feb. 23. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. W&M returns home on Friday, Feb. 28 when they welcome UMBC to Plumeri Park for a three-game set.
