ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (5-5) defeated Claflin University (1-6) in both games of a doubleheader to start their weekend series at Historic Mirmow Field on Friday afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 11-0 Claflin
In the first meeting between the Fleet and the Panthers in almost 18 years, the teams were squarely locked in a pitchers' duel. Erskine had more of the scoring chances, but were unable to break through in the early and middle innings. However, starting pitcher Joe Alegre matched the Claflin starter zero for zero, dominating the Panthers offense through eight scoreless innings. Finally, the Fleet opened the scoring in the seventh inning after a Wilmis Castro leadoff double was followed by a pair of phenomenal bunt singles from Jude Littrell and Tyler Smith, with Smith's bringing home Castro put Erskine in front. And once the Fleet started scoring, they could not stop. A few batters later, Josean Sanchez hit an RBI double before Carlos Gonzalez singled home another. Ben Maskin capped the inning with a two-run base knock through the left side as the Fleet opened up a 5-0 lead at stretch time. In the eighth, Sanchez and Gonzalez tallied run-scoring hits once again to extend the Fleet's lead to 8-0. Then, Sanchez drove home his fourth run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the ninth, before Maskin and Jorge Pascual each worked bases loaded walks as Erskine scored all 11 of its runs in their final three trips to the plate. Kyle Knoll relieved Alegre for the bottom of the ninth and retired the side in order to put the finishing touches on a convincing series-opening win for the Fleet.

Game 2: Erskine 21-5 Claflin (Final / 7 innings)
In the back half of Friday's doubleheader, the Fleet offense rode the momentum they built late in Game 1, and exploded for 16, yes 16 first-inning runs. Seven different Erskine players tallied an RBI in the frame, including Adrian Rolon, who had an RBI single in two separate at-bats in the opening frame. Ben Maskin had the big swing of the inning, with a towering three-run home run over the left field wall. The Fleet added to their total in the fourth, when Jayson Yaccarino scored on a Panthers' error and then Maskin left the park again, this one a two-run shot for his second big fly of the game, extending the Erskine lead to 19-3. Alejandro Rodriguez and Tyler Smith each had run-scoring hits in the sixth, providing the bow-on-top of a 21-run outburst for the Fleet offense. Hitting stole the show in Game 2, but starting pitcher Blake Holshouser struck out six Claflin batters and earned his first win of his Erskine career. Meanwhile, a combined effort from Jessy Camire, Drew Hopkinson, and Brady Tucker worked three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

THE PLAYER
Redshirt sophomore third baseman Ben Maskin was at the forefront of the Fleet's excellent offensive afternoon. After a 2-for-4 with 3 RBI performance in Game 1, Maskin saved his best for the nightcap. He had his first multi-home run game of his Erskine career, finishing the game with three runs scored and five driven in.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and Claflin wrap up their weekend tilt with another doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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