Adam Mills is 4-0, all complete games, with a 0.25 ERA in A-10 play. |
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Charlotte Outlasts Rhode Island 2-1 on Sixth Complete Game from Adam Mills
April 13, 2007
Kingston, R.I. - On a blustery cold day in driving winds, the No. 25 Charlotte 49ers outlasted the Rhode Island Rams 2-1 on the sixth complete game of the year by senior Adam Mills at Bill Beck Field to start an Atlantic 10 Conference series. The win marked Charlotte's seventh in a row in league play, improving the team's record to 27-6 overall and 9-1 in the A-10.
Mills struck out nine and walked one, allowing just three hits and the run, which was unearned, in the eighth inning. Mills needed 101 pitches to finish his nine innings of work, the fourth consecutive complete game he has tossed, all in A-10 play. Mills has only allowed one earned run in 36 innings of A-10 pitching, for an ERA of 0.25 in those four starts. He is averaging 10 strikeouts per conference start. Overall, Mills improves to 9-1, with a microscopic 0.95 ERA. He has logged 108 strikeouts, against 17 walks and has only allowed 47 hits in 85.2 innings pitched.
Charlotte scored both of its runs in the sixth inning, garnering a pair of walks and a pair of doubles. Chris Lane struck out to lead the inning, but reached on a wild pitch on the swing-and-miss. Third baseman Alex Bryant sacrificed himself with a bunt to get Lane to second for twin brother Cory Lane, who doubled to knock him home and score the game's first run. Shayne Moody drew a walk and catcher Kris Rochelle hit his team-leading 15th double of the season to drive in Lane for the second and final run.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Rams (8-20, 5-5 A-10) got a run back when designated hitter Eric Larson reached on an infield error by Charlotte. Catcher Zach Zaneski singled to right and shortstop Dan Rhault sacrificed them up to second and third base for Oliver Palmer, who grounded out, scoring Larson.
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Mills struck out a pair looking in the ninth to preserve the win. He faced the minimum plus four in the game. With the win, Mills takes over second place all-time in team history. He is just two more wins from tying the all-time wins leader and former All-American Tim Collie. Mills is already tied for first in team history in shutouts and is second in starts, strikeouts and innings pitched in his final season. Next week, he will attempt to become the eighth 49er to reach 10 wins in a season.
Rhode Island starter Adam Perkins took the loss (2-5). He allowed the two runs in the sixth after allowing just one hit in the first five frames. He struck out five and walked three, allowing all of Charlotte's three hits.
The two teams will finish the series Saturday in a doubleheader at noon, in order to avoid terrible weather that is forecast for the Northeast on Sunday.
