DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (8-6, 1-3 CC) was defeated by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (7-4, 4-0 CC) by a score of 16-5 at Grier Field on Friday afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
The Braves hold a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Erskine starter Allan Saathoff and UNCP starter Trystan Kimmel were in control of the game through the early innings. But, defensive miscues from the Fleet allowed the Braves to score in the third and fifth innings to take a 2-0 lead. UNC Pembroke added another run in their half of the sixth inning on a wild pitch. After having just five baserunners off Kimmel through the first five innings, the Erskine offense broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Kane Fisher lined a double down the right field line before Cal Bocchino launched a two-run home run to straightaway center field for his third big fly of the season to get the Fleet on the board, trailing 3-2. Saathoff's day ended after six solid innings on the mound, but the Braves scored four times in the top of the seventh to open up a 7-2 lead. Erskine answered back in the bottom half of the inning, starting with an RBI double from Tariq Bacon. Then, with runners on second and third and two outs, Armando Becerra rolled a ground ball into the hole on the right side and his speed forced an errant throw from the Braves second baseman that allowed two more to score for the Fleet, making it a 7-5 game. But, the UNC Pembroke offense stayed hot, scoring three more runs in the eighth before putting the game away with a six-run ninth inning as Erskine dropped game 1 of the series, 16-5.

THE PLAYER
Allan Saathoff battled his way through six solid innings for the Fleet, allowing just two hits and two earned runs while posting eight strikeouts.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and UNC Pembroke wrap up their three-game weekend series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon, starting at 11:00 a.m.
 
MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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