CENTRAL, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (8-13, 1-5 CC) was defeated by Southern Wesleyan University (5-15, 3-7 CC) by a score of 11-10 at Connor Field on Thursday. In a game originally scheduled to be played in Due West, weather forced the Fleet to move the series opener to SWU, where Erskine was the home team in a visiting ballpark.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Southern Wesleyan scored a run in the first inning, but the Fleet responded thanks to a
Ben Maskin two-run double in the next frame to flip an early deficit on its head and put Erskine on top, 2-1, after two innings. SWU answered back with a three-spot in the next half-inning, and the Fleet were forced to play from behind throughout most of the afternoon.
Dale Francis, Jr.,
Tyler Smith, and
Jude Littrell each had RBIs in the next three innings, respectively, but Erskine still trailed 7-5 after five frames. The Warriors doubled their lead in the sixth, but again Erskine continued to hang within striking distance, this time starting with a run-scoring single from
Christian Rivera. Freshman reliever
Blake Holshouser came on in the top of the seventh and was able to post a pair of impressive scoreless frames. Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Francis, Jr. came up clutch with a massive, game-tying three-run home run as the Fleet drew level at nine heading into the ninth. However, SWU answered back again, scoring twice in their half to regain the lead. Despite being in a visiting ballpark, Erskine had the final chance as the home team. And, an
Adrian Rolon sacrifice fly got the Fleet within a run, but that was all for Erskine in its final at-bat.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine returns home to conclude the series with SWU with a doubleheader on Friday, starting at 10 a.m. at Grier Field.
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