WILMINGTON, N.C. – The William & Mary baseball team suffered a 6-2 setback against host team UNCW in its second game of the CAA Tournament late Thursday night at Brooks field. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 32-24, while the Seahawks move to 29-27.
Sophomore
Owen Socher recorded his first career home run and senior
Charles Ameer finished 2-for-3 to lead the W&M offense. Freshman
Matthew Trehub also drove in a run.
UNCW struck first behind an unearned run in the bottom of the second. Ryan Jeffers led off the frame with a double down the left line. On the next at bat, Zack Canada drew a walk. After two outs, Jeffers crossed home plate on an error at third base, giving the Seahawks a 1-0 lead.
The Seahawks used the long ball to score a run in the next couple of innings. Nick Feight belted the first solo blast to left center in the third inning. Robbie Thorburn led off the bottom of the fourth with another solo homer to right center, lifting UNCW to a 3-0 margin.
The home run parade continued for UNCW in the bottom of the sixth. After a hit by pitch and a single, Casey Golden homered to left center. The dinger provided the Seahawks a 6-0 lead.
The Tribe juiced the bases in the top of the seventh, but couldn't cash in. With one out, a
Ryan Hall walk, a Ameer single to shortstop and a
Patrick Ryan hit by pitch created the jam. However, UNCW starter Alex Royalty struck out Trehub and
Kyle Wrighte flied out to right field to prevent the rally.
W&M broke up the shutout with a run scored in the eighth and ninth inning. Socher drilled a two-out solo homer down the left field line in the top of the eighth. During the final frame, Ameer singled through the left side and advanced to second on a wild pitch, before Trehub platted him on a RBI single to center field for the 6-2 final.
Bodie Sheehan was taxed with the loss after going 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts and five runs (four earned) on six hits. CAA Pitcher of the Year Alex Royalty earned the win as he fanned eight and held the Tribe to one run on three hits in 7.2 innings of work.
The Tribe looks to stave off elimination against Charleston on Friday at 11 a.m.
