Thursday, February 15, 2007

Kemper Booth's Walk-off Double In The 10th Inning Lifts PC Over  Belmont-Abbey

CLINTON, S.C. - After matching Belmont-Abbey run for run through nine innings, the Blue Hose were able to push two across in the bottom of the 10th to claim a 10-9 win over the Crusaders.

In the top of the 10th inning, Belmont-Abbey's Alex Udwari brought in pinch runner Spencer Sobol from third base with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Russell Robinson (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) led off the Blue Hose half of the 10th inning with a walk. Casey Carlson (Lexington, S.C.) then followed with an infield single to shortstop to put runners at first and second with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Craven (Savannah, Ga.), the Crusaders decided to intentionally walk Bobby Holmes (Quinton, Va.) and load the bases for pinch hitter Kemper Booth (Hendersonville, N.C.).

With two strikes, Booth ripped an Evan Jonas pitch down the right field line to score Casey Carlson and Russell Robinson, giving the Blue Hose their third consecutive victory and a 5-5 record on the season. The loss is only the second of the season for Belmont-Abbey who fall to 6-2.

Jesse Harmon (Newberry, S.C.) won his second decision of the year after entering the game in the ninth inning for PC. The Blue Hose used five different arms out of the bullpen in relief of starter Andrew Cockerham (Millers Creek, N.C.) who lasted just over an inning.

Belmont-Abbey's Evan Jonas was handed the loss after facing four batters in the 10th and surrendering the game-winning run.

After falling behind 4-0 early on, Presbyterian fought back to put three on the board in the second. PC would later tie the ballgame at six with another three-run inning in the fourth. The two teams would trade runs over the remaining five innings of play before going to extra-innings to decide the game.

PC had a balanced offensive attack with 10 hits coming from eight different players. The Crusaders were paced by right fielder Alex Udwari finishing with three RBI, two hits, and a run scored.

The Blue Hose begin conference play this weekend as they host Lenoir-Rhyne for a three game series starting at noon on Saturday.