WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Junior Zach Pearson drove in three runs, sophomore Chris Farrell matched his career-best six strikeouts and the William & Mary baseball team downed CAA rival UNCW, 7-3, on Friday evening. The Tribe (10-16, 1-3) gained early separation behind a four-run second inning to earn its first conference win versus the Seahawks (17-8, 2-2).
 
In its second consecutive game, the Green and Gold took a 1-0 advantage in the opening frame. Senior Ryan Hall laced a triple down the right field line, and freshman Matt McDermott platted him on a sacrifice fly to center field.
 
W&M then built a comfortable lead after tacking on four runs in the next inning. Freshman David Hogarth doubled to right center and junior Owen Socher drew a walk, setting the table. Sophomore Brandon Raquet laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance runners, before Pearson sent a two-RBI single down the right field line. A throwing error then granted the Tribe two more runs and a 5-0 margin.
 
The Tribe gave itself more breathing room with a couple of runs in the sixth inning. Pearson drove in his third run on a single up the middle and McDermott recorded a RBI grounder for a 7-1 lead. The Seahawks produced a RBI triple and sacrifice fly in the seventh, but was held scoreless in the last two innings.
 
Tribe Standouts
Pearson and Hall notched two hits apiece in pacing the Tribe lineup…McDermott collected two RBI and senior Jason Waldman earned a base hit in two plate appearances. In 4.1 innings of work, Farrell allowed just one run (earned) on six hits to compliment his six K's. Senior Michael Toner fanned two batters in a scoreless inning of relief, while sophomore Wade Strain also blanked the Seahawks in the ninth, conceding only one hit.
 
Inside the Numbers
- The Green and Gold was 4-for-8 (.500) in leading off an inning and 4-for-5 (.800) with runners on third base and less than two outs.
- The W&M pitching staff walked just three batters, while UNCW surrendered six walks and hit a batter.
- Both teams struggled to generate two-out hits as the Seahawks finished with two and the Tribe had none.
- Hits with runners in scoring position were also hard to come by after W&M was 2-for-10 (.200) and UNCW concluded the night 0-for-7.
- Sophomore Jamie Sara (3-3) received the win, tossing 1.2 innings with a strikeout, two hits and an earned run.
- Alex Royalty was charged with loss as he struck out six, but yielded seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and walked four. 

Notes
The game was delayed for 40 minutes due to a threat of rain...Senior Charlie Fletcher tallied his 90^th career appearance and is seven away from setting a new school record.…The Tribe remains unbeaten when scoring in the first inning (6-0)…W&M is also 9-3 when it scores first, 8-2 after leading in the sixth inning and 4-1 in night games…Hall tripled for the third time his career – the last time was  on April 28, 2017 at Towson…Hogarth doubled in back-to-back games…The Tribe defeated UNCW at home for the first time since 2014.
 
Up Next
The Green and Gold continues it weekend series with the Seahawks on Saturday at 4 pm.