GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (0-1) was defeated by Lander University (1-0) by a score of 7-6 in 12 innings in the Fleet's 2023 season opener at Dolny Stadium on Friday afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After back-to-back singles from Armand Becerra and Christian Rivera, the Fleet were threatening straight away in the top of the first inning. Ben Maskin followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in the first run of the 2023 season and give starting pitcher, Jared Guell an early 1-0 lead. Guell set down the Bearcats in the first two frames, but Lander struck for four runs in the third and took a 4-1 lead. But, the Fleet answered back thanks to RBIs from Ashby Smith and Juan Jaime to cut the deficit to 4-3. After another Bearcats run in the bottom of the fourth, Rivera picked up an RBI to make it a 5-4 game. Then, Erskine drew level in the sixth inning thanks to a big fly from David Hernandez. Lander responded with a run in the bottom half, but the Fleet responded instantly. Tyler Smith led off the frame with a single, before Jude Littrell split the gap and showed off his speed. Smith scored easily to tie the game at 6, but Littrell was called out trying to leg out an inside-the-park homerun. The Fleet offense cooled off after scoring in four straight frames, and reliever Johnny Hummel got some crucial outs to send the game to extra innings. Both offenses went quietly in the 10th, including Hummel striking out the side in order as the game went to the 11th. Ashby Smith doubled in the top of the 11th, but Erskine could not break the deadlock. In the bottom of the 11th, Lander loaded the bases with nobody out, but Connor Harrison came in and induced a home-to-first double play. Following an intentional walk to reload the bases, Parker Cassell induced a groundout as the Fleet danced out of trouble and sent the game to the 12th inning. In the bottom of the 12th inning, Lander scored the winning run on a dropped third strike, taking the series opener, 7-6.

THE PLAYER
Johnny Hummel was dominant out of the Erskine bullpen in the season opener, pitching 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and striking out 6 of the 10 batters he faced.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and Lander wrap up their season-opening series on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader, starting at 12 p.m. 
 
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