FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The Erskine College baseball team (6-12, 3-3 CC) defeated Emmanuel University (6-10, 3-7 CC) by a score of 9-6 at Tommy Carey Field on Friday to open a three-game series.

Five different Erskine players tallied multi-hit games and the duo of Eric Santaguida and Nick Fraginals on the mound stifled the Lions outside of one inning, helping the Fleet overcome an early deficit to take Game 1 on the road.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The start to a vital weekend series in Conference Carolinas play did not go as the Fleet were hoping, as Emmanuel jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after two innings. However, starting pitcher Eric Santaguida settled in after a shaky frame and the Erskine bats began their comeback efforts. RBIs from Mason McManus, Pierce Radke, and Danny Villafane in the third inning helped the Fleet cut the deficit in half. In the next inning, Noah Hill delivered an RBI single before a two-run knock from McManus tied the game at six. Santaguida continued to hold Emmanuel at bay to keep the game level until the seventh when the Fleet went in front for the first time in the game. A fielder's choice from Jacob Platt allowed Radke to score the go-ahead run and then Adrian Rolon added some huge insurance with a two-run single to cap a third separate three-run inning for the Fleet to take a 9-6 lead. Santaguida turned things over to the bullpen after the sixth and Nick Fraginals was dominant in relief, tossing three scoreless innings to slam the door shut on a big series-opening win for the Fleet.

THE PLAYER
The Fleet's offensive balance played a critical role in them scoring nine unanswered runs in a come-from-behind win, but relief pitcher Nick Fraginals stole the show individually on the mound. The redshirt junior earned his first save of the season, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits for the only baserunners he surrendered and striking out four in the process to seal a Game 1 win for the Fleet.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine and Emmanuel conclude their series down in Georgia on Saturday with a doubleheader, starting at 1 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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