DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (5-4, 2-0 CC) swept a doubleheader against Emmanuel University (6-4, 0-2 CC) to begin a three-game series over the weekend at Grier Field on Friday.

Joe Alegre's gem in Game 1 helped the Fleet cruise to a win to open the day, and JT Yaccarino came off the bench for a walk-off single to cap a come-from-behind win for the Fleet in Game 2.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 7-2 Emmanuel
Opening conference play at home, Erskine and Emmanuel went through the first two innings scoreless. But, the Fleet bats came roaring to life in the third, starting with a three-run home run from Josean Sanchez. Jorge Pascual and Quinn Allen each had run-scoring hits later in the frame and the Fleet had opened up a 6-0 lead. That would be more than enough cushion for starting pitcher, Joe Alegre, who tossed six and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Sanchez added an RBI single in the sixth, and productive outings out of the bullpen from Gene Blackmon and Dustin Scogins put the finishing touches on a dominant Game 1 win for the Fleet.

Game 2: Erskine 7-6 Emmanuel (Final / 7 innings)
In the back half of the doubleheader, Quinn Allen opened the scoring with an RBI double in the second inning. Emmanuel hit a two-run home run in the fourth to tie the game, but Erskine instantly responded with another RBI from Allen followed by a run-scoring single from Jacob Platt to put Erskine back in front, 3-2. However, the Lions used the long ball again in the fifth, this time a grand slam, and the Fleet had fallen into a 6-3 hole. But, again Erskine had an instant response, scoring three times in the bottom half without the benefit of the hit. An error, a dropped third strike, and a balk each accounted for ways Erskine scratched across a run in a whacky bottom of the fifth that ended with the game being tied at 6. Drew Hopkinson took over on the mound and retired the side in order, and Jared Guell followed with a scoreless top of the seventh, giving the Fleet a chance to walk it off. Pierce Radke led off the bottom of the seventh with a double down the right field line and immediately the Fleet had the winning run in scoring position. A sacrifice bunt from Elliot Sanders moved Radke to third, and then JT Yaccarino came off the bench for a pinch-hit, soft line drive single into right center field to bring Radke home and walk off the back half of the doubleheader for the Fleet.

THE PLAYER
Senior right-handed pitcher Joe Alegre set the tone for the afternoon with a dominant Game 1 start. Alegre struck out the side in the top of the first and pitched all the way into the seventh inning without allowing a run and surrendering just three hits. The big righty issued just one free pass and struck out nine Lions in his outing, earning his first win of the young season.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Due to inclement weather in the forecast in the Due West area, the Fleet and the Lions will have to shift to Emmanuel's campus to finish their three-game series on Saturday at 5 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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