Senior left fielder Troy Mendez’s third-inning home run sparked ETSU to 10 unanswered runs as the Bucs prevailed 17-15 over High Point Saturday at Cardinal Park.
The win marked ETSU’s season-best eighth straight victory, which is also its longest streak since 2005.
“We have to give High Point a lot of credit because they really scrapped away and came back on us,” said ETSU head coach Tony Skole.
“I was proud of the way our guys came back and got some key hits to score runs in the eighth inning. That was really the key to the game.”
Despite being out-hit 23-21, the Bucs improved to 22-19 overall and remained 9-12 in the Atlantic Sun.
Mendez said that he anticipated the pitch by junior Jamie Serber when he hit the key home run of the game.
“He just left a change up where I could hit it, and I got a pretty easy swing on it,” Mendez said. “I was just glad that I could help us get the lead and keep the team winning.”
Senior pitcher Darren Caldwell, who retired High Point’s final batter to end the game, said that the Bucs were lucky to win the game.
“We all just have to stay focused on making the next pitch and then the next play,” Caldwell said.
“We were fortunate to get out of the inning and finish off the game.”
The Bucs relied on leadership from their seniors to survive the game. Mendez helped the Bucs keep a high tempo on offense with his hits that came in crucial moments of the game.
Caldwell, who has a team-best 4.95 ERA, struck out High Point’s Pablo Rosario to earn the save and preserve the 17-15 victory.
The Bucs play on Friday as they resume conference play against Florida Gulf Coastat Cardinal Park at 7 p.m.

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