Alex Burt launched his first home run of 2008 in Charlotte's 8-1 win over High Point at home Saturday. |
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Niners Blast Three Homers in 8-1 Defeat of High Point Saturday
March 8, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers baseball squad blasted three home runs in gusty winds and dispatched visiting High Point 8-1 Saturday afternoon at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium. The Niners are a perfect 7-0 at home and are 9-1 overall through ten games this season. Charlotte has blasted 12 home runs this season (11 at home), and has given up only five in that span.
With the game scoreless heading to bottom of the fifth, second baseman Corey Shaylor hit the first pitch of the inning over the left center field fence to put Charlotte up 1-0. It was the second homer of the season for the freshman. After a Ross Steedley double, senior first baseman Alex Burt hit a 2-2 offering down the line and clear of the fence to extend the lead to 3-0.
Shaylor doubled with designated hitter Chris Taylor on base in the sixth to drive in his second run of the day and push the lead to 4-0 Charlotte.
In the seventh, Charlotte kept the runs coming. Burt hit a leadoff single up the middle and junior third baseman Aaron Bray dropped a line drive into right field to put two on. After a groundout, senior center fielder Brad McElroy drove a 1-1 pitch to the opposite field and over the wall for his second home run of the season and made it a 7-0 contest.
In the top of the eighth, pinch hitter Chris Norwood deposited the first pitch he saw from reliever Luke Stahl over the left field fence to keep the Panthers from being shutout.
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Bray drove in pinch hitter Mike Perkins from third in the eighth to put the final score on the board.
Charlotte starting pitcher Zach Rosenbaum lasted seven innings, scattering four hits and three walks in that span without allowing a run on the day. He struck out four and gathered his second win of the season in three starts (2-0).
After Stahl's inning of relief, redshirt freshman Justin Duncan made his collegiate debut, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning of relief.
HPU starter Ryan Bashan dropped to 0-3 after the loss. He allowed four runs in six innings, giving up eight hits but no walks. He fanned six.
The two teams finish the two-game series Sunday at 12 noon.
