HIGH POINT, N.C. – The William and Mary baseball team scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to force extra innings, but fell 9-8 to High Point in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon. This was the second time in the series that a game went to extras, with William and Mary pulling out the game Friday night in 10 innings. With the loss, W&M falls to 3-4 on the season, while High Point improves to 3-4.
High Point scored a pair of runs in the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Tim Mansfield and Jordan Spano each reached bases to start the inning. After a strikeout, Spencer Angelis singled into left, scoring Mansfield. A passed ball allowed for Spano to score the second run of the inning.
The Panthers added three more runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Dane McDermott and Chris Clare each singled to begin the inning. On a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Brandenburg the ball was thrown away, allowing both McDermott and Clare to score. The final run of the inning came home on a sacrifice fly to right field by Spano.
Again High Point added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Clare led off the inning with a single to left field, moving to second on a groundout. With one out, and runners on the corners, Spano grounded out, bringing home Clare and giving HPU a 5-0 lead.
William and Mary scored three runs with two outs in top of the seventh inning. With two outs, the Tribe was able to load the bases. Senior Kevin Nutter was hit by a pitch, plating classmate Kevin Casey to start the rally. Senior Willie Shaw followed with a singled to right field scoring two runs, and cutting the deficit to 6-3.
The Panthers responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Tony Fortier-Bens led off the inning with a single to right, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by McDermott. Fortier-Bens came around to score when Brandenburg reached on a fielder's choice. The final run of the inning was scored on an RBI single by Spano.
William and Mary exploded for five runs to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning. Casey, senior Derek Lowe, and freshman Ryder Miconi all reached base with nobody out. Nutter started the run scoring with a single to center field, bringing home one. Shaw followed suite with another RBI single, and kept the bases loaded. The first out of the inning was recorded on a sacrifice fly to left by senior Ryan Lindemuth, that cut the score to 8-6. With two outs, Hissey singled to right field, bringing home the tying runs and sending the game into extra innings.
High Point won the game in the bottom of the 11th inning. The Panthers loaded the bases with nobody out and Brenden Rivera sent a sacrifice fly to center field, winning the game 9-8.
Conor Lourey earned the win for the Panthers, he went 2.1 innings allowing just one hit and striking out two. The loss was charged Casey, who pitched 2.1 innings allowing four hits and striking out one.
Shaw finished the game going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Casey and Lowe also had multi-hit games for the Tribe.
The Green and Gold returns home on Friday, Feb. when they welcome UMBC to Plumeri Park. First pitch of the three-game series is at 4 p.m.
