Mills Shuts Down Wake Forest Bats, Niners Score 11 to Win Season Opener
Mike Ambrose launched his first home run of the season, a 3-run shot, over the left center wall |
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Feb. 12, 2006
Charlotte, N.C. - Mike Ambrose, Spencer Steedley and Chris Taylor each had three hits, and the Charlotte 49ers scored four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to break open an 11-2 win in the team's season opener at Tom & Lib Phillips Field on Sunday afternoon.
Junior pitcher Adam Mills picked up his first win of the season and looked very strong on the mound, allowing just four hits and one run in six innings. He made just 77 pitches, striking out four.
It was the first game of an impromptu doubleheader, put together after a game originally scheduled for Saturday was postponed due to rain. It was the season opener for both teams.
Ambrose, a senior shortstop, drove in four runs in game one, including three on a home run to left center that blew the contest open in the bottom of the sixth.
Steedley tied a school record when he recorded three doubles in four at-bats in the game.
They each scored three times to lead all players.
Ambrose, Steedley and Taylor, the 49ers 3-4-5 hitters, combined to hit 9-for-13 (.692) with seven RBI and seven runs scored in the opener.
B.J. Hagen picked up his first career save for the 49ers, pitching three innings to close out the contest. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one unearned run and struck out a pair.
The 49ers blew the game open with four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.
In the fifth, O'Brien Taylor hit a two-out single to third base before Ambrose walked. Steedley then laced a double past second base to drive in both runners. A double by Chris Taylor drove in Steedley to make it a 5-1 lead.
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Wake lifted starter Josh Ellis, who lasted just 4.2 innings, in favor of freshman reliever Garrett Bullock. He allowed a single to Chris Lane, which scored Taylor for a 6-1 advantage.
Then in the bottom half of the sixth, the 49ers struck for four again. Cory Lane led off with a single to center, before O'Brien Taylor's sac bunt attempt was mishandled by the pitcher to put two men on. Ambrose then launched his 3-run homer over the left center fence for a 9-1 49ers lead. Chris Taylor would single and eventually score an a sacrifice fly by Kris Rochelle to make it a 10-1 game.
The Niners scored single runs in the second, third and eighth innings. In the second, Steedley led off with a double to right, moved over on a Chris Taylor single and eventually scored on a sac fly by Kris Rochelle.
In the third, Cory Lane singled to second, then stole his first base of the year and came around to score on a single by Ambrose.
In the eighth, Ambrose singled, moved to third on a Steedley double, and scored on a Chris Lane sacrifice fly.
