ETSU baseball dominated in style over the weekend, sweeping Southern Conference rival Western Carolina in a three-game set at Thomas Stadium. The Bucs topped off their sweep with an 11-0 run-rule win in seven innings on Sunday, improving to 25-9 overall and 6-3 in SoCon play.
Saturday’s 3-1 win featured a dominant effort from the ETSU pitching staff. Jace Hyde threw five strong innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four. Offensively, the Bucs were sitting on with two out in the fifth, but Cooper Torres and Tristan Curless came in clutch with RBI singles to get the momentum moving. In the sixth Axel Melendez crushed a solo homer further sealing the deal.
On Sunday the Bucs continued to prove their dominance. After a slow two inning start, ETSU exploded for five runs in the third. Leading 8-0 by the seventh, Blake Jacklin ended the game in a must see fashion with a walk-off, three-run homer. Jacklin finished 5-for-5 with four singles, a home run, three runs scored, and three stolen bases.
ETSU’s Jacklin and Brady Fredrick were each respectively announced as the Socon’s player and pitcher of the week.
ETSU’s arms were in command all weekend, and the offense showed up when it was needed most. The Buccaneers continue to show their strength behind the plate and impressive pitching game in and game out this season. With just over a month left until the SoCon Baseball tournament the men in blue and gold are hoping to climb the SoCon ranks and ride their momentum all the way until the end of the season.
ETSU is set to face off in a three-game series with Mercer this weekend starting Thursday at 6PM. If they continue to perform at this level a win is promising.
For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com
