Buccaneer sophomore outfielder Kevin Brotherton went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and freshman third baseman Shane Byrne went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs to lead ETSU past UNCG, 8-1, in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Friday at UNCG Baseball Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.
The loss snapped the Spartans’ school-record 12-game winning streak.
The Bucs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Sophomore catcher Caleb Moore reached second base after Kirk Strebin dropped a fly ball. After junior outfielder Bo Calloway’s sacrifice bunt, sophomore designated hitter Davis Burklin grounded out to the right side, scoring Moore.
ETSU added two runs in the fifth inning. Byrne led off the fifth with a single and moved to second following sophomore shortstop Justin Clear’s sacrifice bunt. Junior outfielder Tim Turner flied out, moving Byrne to third and Brotherton singled home Byrne. Brotherton stole second and scored on junior second baseman Andy Howdeshell’s RBI triple to the left centerfield gap, giving the Bucs a three run cushion.
ETSU put four more on the board in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Byrne and Brotherton each added two-run singles in the inning.
Bucs’ junior starter Josh Kite (2-2) made the lead stand and kept UNCG off the scoreboard for 5 1/3 innings. The Spartans did manage five hits and also benefited from five walks, but UNCG stranded 12 on the day, including 10 in the first six innings. The Spartans would strand 12 on the night.
Senior reliever Jarrod Hyder tossed the final 3 2/3 innings and registered his second save of the season. Hyder allowed just a pair of hits and one unearned run.
UNCG’s Scooter Michael (3-1) was charged with the loss. Michael went 5 innings, struckout four and walked one. The All-American gave up five hits and three runs, two of which were earned.
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On Thursday, ETSU could not complete a rally in the bottom of the ninth as William and Mary held on to defeat the Bucs, 7-5, at Cardinal Park.
The Tribe (9-4) entered the bottom of the ninth with a 7-4 lead before ETSU (4-8) freshman catcher Blake Church singled to center and advanced to third on two consecutive passed balls. Clear walked to bring the tying run to the plate. After William and Mary closer Chris Shaver recorded an out, Howdeshell hit a single to left field to score Church.
But with the potential tying run on base, Shaver pitched sophomore first baseman Davis Burklin into a double play to end the game.
Chris Ray (3-0) picked up the victory for the Tribe, throwing seven innings and allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out eight. Shaver picked up his second save of the season after pitching the final two frames. Freshman pitcher Beau Alford was charged with the loss for ETSU, after pitching the fifth inning and allowing two runs (none earned) on two hits.
Howdeshell had a great day at the plate for the Bucs, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Brotherton also had two hits with an RBI and a run scored, while Clear had two hits with run scored.

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