FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The Erskine College baseball team (20-18, 12-9 CC) defeated Emmanuel University (24-16, 13-9 CC) by a score of 3-2 in 11 innings in the series opener at Tommy Carey Field on Friday evening.

In what turned out to be a typical Friday night pitcher's duel to open a huge weekend series for the Fleet, Erskine used free passes at the plate and and outstanding efforts from three pitchers on the mound to earn the win.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After starting pitcher Alex Heintz set down the Lions in order in his first inning of work, the Fleet offense opened the second inning with singles from Wilmis Castro and Adrian Rolon for the first real threat of the day. Back-to-back strikeouts followed and it looked like the chance had gone, but David Hernandez delivered with a clutch, two-out RBI single to open the scoring. A few pitches later Jude Littrell slapped an opposite-field single and doubled the Fleet's lead. Heintz had not allowed a single hit heading into the fifth inning, but a Fleet error to lead off the frame eventually led to Emmanuel's first base knock being an RBI single to cut Erskine's lead in half. The Lions added another later in the frame to tie the game at two after five innings. Jared Guell took over on the mound for the bottom half of the sixth and breezed through three scoreless frames, sending the game to the ninth inning still knotted at two. After the Fleet got a two-out walk but nothing more in the top half, Caleb Dix came on out of the bullpen, looking to send the game to extra innings. A hit by pitch and a stolen base put the winning run in scoring position, but Dix got a huge strikeout to keep the game tied and send things to the 10th. Erskine drew back-to-back walks to open the top of the 10th but were unable to scratch across a run, and after Dix worked around a two-out single, the game went to the 11th inning. Hernandez led off with a base hit, and moments later, Tyler Smith singled, putting runners on the corners with just one out. Christian Rivera was intentionally walked to load the bases for Daniel Hernandez, who worked a free pass of his own to bring home Jude Littrell and regain the Fleet's lead. Erskine was unable to tack on any insurance runs, but Dix set down the Lions in order in the bottom half, preserving a 3-2 win in the series opener.

THE PLAYER
Senior pitcher Caleb Dix earned his second win of the season, tossing three scoreless frames out of the bullpen, and allowing just one hit while recording four strikeouts on the mound.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and Emmanuel conclude their massive three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

    Visit the Official Home of Erskine Athletics at www.erskinesports.com
  
    Follow us on Social Media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Photos