B.J. Hagen gave the bullpen a much-needed rest and showed senior leadership in Charlotte's 7-5 win at Winthrop Tuesday. |
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Hagen Lasts Six Innings to Rest Bullpen in Charlotte's 7-5 Win at Winthrop
April 29, 2008
Rock Hill, S.C. - Charlotte senior B.J. Hagen lasted six innings on the mound and the 49ers scored five runs in an error-filled fifth inning to win their 12th road contest of the season, 7-5 over Winthrop Tuesday night at the Winthrop Ballpark in baseball action. Charlotte is now 32-12 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 18-26.
The Niners got on the board in the first, with center fielder Brad McElroy driving in shortstop Shayne Moody after he reached on an infield error and got to third on one of three hits by left fielder O'Brien Taylor.
Winthrop scored in the second after Bryn Henderson came home on a double by Eddie Rohan following his lead off walk to tie the game. Winthrop took the lead with a solo homer to right by Eddie Tisdale in the third inning before Charlotte exploded in the fifth.
The Niners got hits from Moody and O'Brien Taylor to start the inning, with McElroy, Rob Lyerly and Cory Tilton logging RBI in the frame. Aaron Bray had the last two RBI on an infield groundout as Tilton ran hard from second and the infielders had to make a tough play on a play towards first.
The Eagles would not go quietly, scoring three in the seventh to close the lead to 6-5. Bennett Jordan reached on a single down the right field line and center fielder Tyler McBride hit his third homer of the season to right off of Hagen to get the first two runs in. Reliever Michael Maples came in and gave up a bunt single, a sacrifice bunt, a balk and a single to center to drive in Tony Brunetti and get the game to one run.
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At that point, Niners coach Loren Hibbs called in Bryan Hamilton from the bullpen to stop the run and he recorded two outs to end the threat.
Chris Taylor added a solo home run to left on the first pitch of the game offered by reliever Josh McDonald. It was his team-leading 16th of the season, pushing him to 60 RBI on the season.
Hamilton gave up a single in the ninth, but earned his third save of the season.
Hagen improved to 3-2 on the season. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in his six innings. He struck out four.
Winthrop starter Hamilton Bennett only allowed two earned runs, but took the loss, dropping his record to 0-9 on the season. He allowed just five hits and two walks, while the defense let him down for three unearned runs. He struck out five.
Charlotte heads to New York for an Atlantic 10 weekend series at Fordham. Friday night's contest begins at 7 p.m.
NOTES: Taylor's home run put him fourth in Niners history for single-season home runs, passing Alex Saylor's 15 from 1985. The total is the most hit in a season since James Matan's team-record 27 and teammate Bo Robinson's 19, both in 1998. Lyerly flared a single to left to extend his career-long hitting streak to 17 games. Charlotte has defeated Winthrop in the last three meetings.
