Gaffney, SC---Erskine split a double header with Limestone College Saturday afternoon, winning game one 12-9 in 12 innings then losing game two 4-3 due to darkness.
The Fleet took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one on a two run home run from Bryan Fogle. Limestone would answer with three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead, but the Fleet responded the very next half inning. Fogle tied the game up with his second home run in as many at bats, and then with a runner on first, John Bolding hit a home run to give Erskine the 5-3 lead. Erskine would have an 8-5 lead going into the bottom of the sixth when the Saints exploded for four runs to take the 9-8 lead. They would not have the lead for long as the Fleet tied the game up in the seventh on a RBI double from Tyler Layton. The score would remain tied through 11 innings, although each team had several opportunities to take the lead. The Fleet came to bat in the top of the 12th inning and Mo Seay led off with a solo home run to give Erskine the 10-9 lead. After retiring the next batter, Cody McElhaney and Greg Huff hit back to back home runs to push the lead to 12-9. After a lead off single William Buzhardt came into the game and retied the next three hitters to record the save.
Fogle led the Fleet going 2-2 with two home runs, three RBIs and three walks, while Bolding was 2-4 with a home run and two runs batted in. McElhaney finished the game 3-6 with a home run, two doubles and two RBIs and Seay was 2-6 with a home run and two RBIs. Atlee Pearson picked up the win allowing two runs in 5.2 innings of relief, while Buzhardt picked up the save with a scoreless 12th inning.
The Fleet once again took the early lead in game two when Huff singled in the top of the first and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Chas Anthony. Erskine made it a 2-0 lead in the second with a solo home run from Brandon Garrett. Limestone responded with a run in the bottom of the second, a run in the third and two in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead. Erskine cut it to one run game in the sixth when Matt Schneider scored on a RBI single from McElhaney. The Fleet held the Saints scoreless in the bottom half of the sixth and went into the final inning down by one run. Keith Hill led the inning off with a walk, and then scored on a RBI triple from Fogle to tie the game up. Fogle would then score on an RBI ground out by Anthony, before the game was called due to darkness. Since the inning was unable to be completed, the game went back to the last full inning, giving the Saints the 4-3 victory.
Huff led the Fleet with two hits, including a double, while Garrett was 1-3 with a home run and RBI. Buzhardt was the tough luck loser allowing three earned runs in six innings of work and striking out five.
Game One Box
Game Two Box
