ETSU prevailed over UNC-Asheville on Tuesday, pulling to 10-10 on the season and 3-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, as the Buccaneers dished out a 26-hit performance for a final score of 18-11.
Junior designated hitter Danny Petro, freshman third baseman Bo Reeder, senior left fielder Troy Mendez and senior first baseman Paul Hoilman all recorded multiple hits. Sophomore pitcher Chas Byrne recorded his second win, improving 2-1 on the season, while Asheville pitcher Justin Schumer fell to 0-4 on the season.
The Bucs scored in the bottom of the first as Hoilman hit a single to drive in freshman right fielder Cory Betterson and Mendez. Later in the inning sophomore catcher Derek Trent would single to first base to score Reeder.
On the pitcher’s mound, Byrne would deny Asheville any runs for the first two innings. Though Byrne gave up 10 hits, he only allowed the Bulldogs three runs through five innings.
In the bottom of the second, Mendez hit a three-run homer to left center. At this point, ETSU led 6-0.
The Bulldogs would cut the lead to 6-1 as a runner scored on an error by Betterson.
The Bucs then answered as Hoilman hit a double RBI, and freshman center fielder Matthew Scruggs and Mendez hit double RBIs, increasing the margin to 12-1, earning them their largest lead.
In the top of the fifth, pitcher Justin Schumer grounded to second and left fielder Beau Zinman singled to help the Bulldogs narrow the gap to 12-3. ETSU’s pitching continued to struggle, allowing Asheville to cut the score to 15-10 in the top of the seventh.
The earned run average for the Buccaneers is 7.6, a number which they must maintain if they hope for a berth in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Petro tallied two hits out of three tries at the plate, while Reeder, Hoilman and Allen added four hits apiece. Scruggs and senior second baseman Ben Allen both singled for RBIs in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 15-3 at that point.
The offensive showing tonight earned the Bucs three insurance runs late in the game as Betterson and Reeder got singles to drive in two runs and freshman shortstop Garrett May scored on a wild pitch. All of the starters for the Buccaneers delivered at least two hits in Tuesday’s game.
ETSU will resume conference play as they take on conference rival Mercer Friday in Macon, Ga.

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