WILSON, N.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (23-19, 19-13 CC) continued play in the 2021 Conference Carolinas Tournament with a narrow 11-10 loss against Barton College (19-18, 15-13 CC) in a winners' bracket game at Fleming Stadium on Friday evening. Erskine trailed by as many as nine runs early and were unable to overcome the large deficit.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
Erskine has still taken three of five against the Bulldogs this season and leads the all-time series 34-20.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After exploding for 11 runs on Thursday, the Fleet offense picked up where it left off. In the very first inning, Erskine manufactured a run as Cody Forster worked a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, and scored on a wild pitch. But, fifth-seeded Barton has had a potent offense this weekend and it showed up in the early innings. The Bulldogs put up a six-spot in the second and added four more in the third inning as they jumped out to a commanding 10-1 lead. However, Erskine clawed right back into it with a huge fourth inning. A single, a double, and walk loaded the bases for Cal Bocchino, who drew a free pass himself to plate a run. Trevor Lesane followed with an RBI single to score another. Two batters later, Forster ripped a two-run single to right field to make it 10-5. Livan Reinoso followed him with an RBI double. Moments later Forster scampered home on a passed ball, and Reinoso scored on a Dalton Reeves' RBI single and just like that the Fleet were back in it, trailing 10-8. Michael Kay was the third pitcher of the day for Erskine, and struggled to stop the bleeding in that four-run third inning, but kept the Barton lineup at bay after that. After Kay, danced out of a bit of trouble in the fifth, Erskine had a chance to get even closer as they loaded the bases with just one out. But, a strikeout and a flyout ended the Fleet's chances in the frame. Barton added an insurance run in their half of the sixth to take an 11-8 lead. But, a two-out solo home run from Forster pushed the deficit back to two runs. In the following inning, Drew Yniesta ripped a leadoff double down the left field line. Dalton Reeves followed with what looked to be a routine ground ball to second base, but the Bulldogs' second baseman overthrew his first baseman, which allowed Yniesta to score and put Reeves at second base, representing the tying run with nobody out. But, again the Fleet failed to cash in an opportunity and still trailed 11-10. Johnny Hummel retired the side in order in Barton's half of the eighth, which gave Erskine's offense one last chance to complete the rally. Trevor Lesane led off the inning with a double to left center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Armando Becerra. But, the next two batters for the Fleet struck out as their rally from nine runs down fell just short and the Fleet were defeated, 11-10. 

THE PLAYER
Cody Forster was 2-for-5 with three runs scored and three driven in as well as a solo home run in the seventh inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The third-seeded Fleet now fall into the losers' bracket of the tournament and will play second-seeded North Greenville University (30-11, 23-9) in an elimination game on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. The Fleet and Crusaders split a four-game series in Tigerville earlier in the season.

If the Fleet win, they will play the loser of the Barton - Mount Olive/Belmont Abbey game on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in another elimination game.
 
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