DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (6-3) was unable to overcome a deficit as they lost to North Greenville University (6-2) by a score of 8-6 to begin a three-game series as they opened Conference Carolinas play on Friday afternoon at Grier Field.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
Erskine still leads the all-time series 34-24.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Erskine starting pitcher, Allan Saathoff, continued on his tremendous start to his senior season as he began his day with three scoreless innings against a potent North Greenville offense. But, Saathoff was matched by NGU starter, Jax Cash. Then, in the fourth inning a two-out error extended the inning for Josh Senter who opened the scoring with a two-run home run to put the visitors in front, 2-0. But, Christian Rivera split the deficit in half with an RBI double in the bottom half of the frame. In the fifth inning, the Crusaders scored again on an RBI single on a close play at the plate as Tariq Bacon vied for his second outfield assist of the inning. Erskine answered again in the bottom of the fifth as Cal Kryska reached on an error to score Kane Fisher. But, the Fleet left the tying and go-ahead runs on base as a groundout ended Erskine's threat. In the sixth inning, Saathoff surrended a three-run home run as NGU opened up their largest lead of the game, 6-2. Again, Erskine responded in their half of the inning, though. A pair of walks to lead off the bottom of the sixth set up Bacon, who ripped an RBI double off the left field fence. Kyle Marti followed with a run-scoring single, but Erskine left the bases loaded in the sixth, trailing 6-4. For the fourth consecutive inning, North Greenville scored at least one run as the Crusaders regained their four-run lead with a pair of RBI singles in the seventh to make it an 8-4 game. But, Ira Clifton came on in relief in the eighth inning and retired the side in order before the Fleet cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning. Armando Becerra scored on a balk and Cal Kryska followed with an RBI single to right field as the game headed to the ninth inning with Erskine trailing, 8-6. Clifton shut down the Crusaders again in the top of the ninth as he retired all six batters he faced, including four strikeouts. But, the Fleet were unable to finish off the rally as Erskine lost the series opener to North Greenville, 8-6.

THE PLAYER
Kyle Marti was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI single to lead the way for the Erskine offense.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and North Greenville wrap up their weekend series to begin conference play on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 11:00 a.m.
 
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