FLORENCE, S.C. – The Erskine College developmental baseball team defeated Chowan University by a score of 9-2 to win the 2023 Conference Carolinas Developmental Championship at Sparrow Stadium on Monday evening. The Fleet scored in each of their first two innings at the plate and a five-run sixth sealed Erskine's first Conference Carolinas Developmental title.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a deep flyout to start the game, Chaz Knight kick-started the Erskine offense with a one-out triple and scored moments later on a wild pitch to open the scoring for the Fleet in the top of the first inning. Starting pitcher Gordon Soffel worked a scoreless bottom half of the first to begin his evening on the mound, and the Fleet doubled their lead in the second. After a walk from Banks Starbuck and a single from Logan Palma, the Fleet took advantage of an Chowan error to make it a 2-1 game. Chowan got on the board in the third, but the Erskine offense struck again in their half of the fourth. Erskine began the frame with a pair of outs, but Palma worked a walk and then Julio Illidge was hit by a pitch as the Fleet suddenly had a threat in the top of the fourth. Ryan Turner and Zion Clonts followed with RBI singles, helping the Fleet open up a 4-1 lead. The Hawks got a run back in the bottom half, but Jaron Cortese came on out of the Fleet bullpen and worked a scoreless fifth inning to begin his phenomenal relief effort. And Erskine eventually broke the game wide open with a huge sixth inning at the plate. Illidge and Turner reached base to start the inning, and then Clonts delivered a punishing blow, as he unloaded for a huge three-run home run, extending the Fleet's lead to 7-2. Knight dropped down a beautiful bunt single to restart another Erskine rally, followed by a Jurden D'Arnault walk and then Davis Cardew reached on an error as Erskine loaded the bases with just one out. This time it was Starbuck with the clutch hit, as he slapped a two-run single through the left side, extending Erskine's lead to 9-2. And that was more than enough of a cushion for the Fleet bullpen, who was phenomenal all night long. Cortese pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings, before handing the ball to Parker Jefferson, who cruised the eighth inning. With the Fleet just three outs away from a championship, Erskine called on closer Chad Allen to close the door and he did just that in convincing fashion, striking out the side and sealing a 9-2 championship win for the Fleet.


THE PLAYERS
The hero from the opening round, Zion Clonts, went 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs atop the Erskine order in the championship game, including a three-run home run in the sixth inning as part of a five-run frame for the Fleet. On the mound, a combined effort from Jaron Cortese, Parker Jefferson, and Chad Allen pitched five hitless innings out of the Erskine bullpen, allowing just two baserunners and striking out six Chowan hitters to finish the game.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet continue their regular season on the road at Catawba Valley Community College for a doubleheader on Thursday.
 
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