AIKEN, S.C. -- Thanks to a 16-hit assault, Tampa defeated Mount Olive 12-9 in the opening game of the Prestige Appliance Classic hosted by South Carolina-Aiken.
The Spartans improve to 4-0 on the season while the Trojans suffer their first loss with a 3-1 record.
Senior Connor Obrochta and junior catcher Nick Tindall led the offense for Tampa, as Obrochta tallied a 4-for-6 performance with three runs and a RBI. Tindall roped a two-run homer en route to a 3-for-4 showing while senior Tyler Ding tallied three hits and three RBI in the victory. Designated hitter Sean O’Brien hit a solo home run to left field in the second inning of play.
Starting pitcher Trey Oest (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, tossing six complete innings allowing four earned runs and striking out six.
Trojans starter Alex Regan (1-1) was the pitcher of record, as the hurler surrendered 10 runs, 9 earned in four-plus innings of work.
Palm Beach Atlantic 4, No. 6 Delta State 2
JUPITER, Fla. -- Palm Beach Atlantic scored four runs in the first two innings and used strong pitching to take down Delta State 4-2 on Friday night from Roger Dean Stadium.
The night belonged to junior pitcher Kennie Silvestri (win, 1-0), who spun five innings of sparkling ball before passing the ball off to his bullpen. Silvestri scattered seven hits while striking out two and not issuing a free pass. The combination of Phil DiLandro, Eric Russell and Dominic Monda (save) allowed just one hit during the final four innings to shut down the Statesmen.
Andres Vazquez led the PBA charge on offense, going 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks and a run scored. Ethan Perla also knocked out two hits and drove in a crucial run in the three-run second frame. Overall, Palm Beach Atlantic had nine hits on the night and didn’t commit an error on defense.
No. T8 South Carolina-Aiken 9, Shepherd 7
AIKEN, S.C. -- South Carolina-Aiken defeated Shepherd 9-7 on Friday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
The Pacers broke a 7-all tie in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the two-run victory. Shortstop Sean Miller tripled to center field to lead off the inning followed by Kody Belcher taking one for the team to put two runners on with no outs. Tyler Moore was next up and singled through the left side of the infield to score Miller and break the tie. Belcher later scored on an error to put the Pacers ahead for good.
USC Aiken (3-1) was leading 7-3 heading into the top of the seventh inning before Shepherd posted four runs on a two-RBI single and a pair of other runs.
The Pacer offense led by first baseman Ty Barkell and third baseman TJ Costen who each went 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of RBI. Barkell hit a solo home run to left center field in the bottom of the first inning to open the scoring.
On the mound for USC Aiken, Nick Yobbi excelled in the first start going six innings and surrender only four hits and three earned runs, but got a no decision. Jake Padgett (1-0) earned the win for the Pacers by shutting out Shepherd (0-1) by pitching 1 and 1/3 innings of scoreless.
Caleb Smith came in and shut the door earning his first save of the season while striking out two Rams in an inning of work.
No. T8 Chico State 3, Azusa Pacific 1
CHICO, Calif. -- Chico State took advantage of a mistake that cost Azusa Pacific a run in the fifth and won 3-1 in a rain-shortened game on Friday. The second game of the doubleheader was rained out.
Chico starter Marco Lara went all six innings, allowing just one unearned run on four hits to improve to 2-0. He struck out three and issued one intentional walk.
In the bottom of the fifth Chico State loaded the bases. With one out, Azusa Pacific second baseman Blake James' throw home pulled catcher Joe Huthsing's foot inches off the plate, allowing the game's first run to score and seeding a three-run rally.
Danny Miller followed with a sacrifice fly and Ruben Padilla singled home the third run.
