Baseball continues spectacular year, sets school record for wins
Posted by The Skyliner on April 14th, 2010Billy Cannada
Staff Writer
The North Greenville baseball team continued its impressive season by acquiring wins over Emmanuel College, Limestone College and Mars Hill College last week.
“This was a big week for us,” said head coach Travis Henson. “We are proud of our guys. There is still a long way to go, but we are proud of the position we are in.”
North Greenville started their week on April 6 by sweeping a double header with the Emmanuel College Lions.
The Crusaders dominated offensively in game one, as the Lions’ defense had no answer in a 13-3 blowout. North Greenville got of to a hot start with six quick runs in the second inning and the Crusaders would never look back, adding seven additional runs to the scoreboard by the fifth inning. Dayton Lupton, senior sport management, led the way from the plate going 3-3 with two RBI and Brian Giles, junior sport management, also contributed offensively going 2-2 with a run batted in.
Game two was closely contested until the fifth inning when the Crusaders exploded for five straight runs propelling them to an 8-5 win. David Frazier, sophomore sport management, was feeling it from the plate, going 2-3 with one RBI. Derek Fulmer, sophomore business, also played well going 2-2 with three runs scored.
North Greenville tripled their number of wins from last season with a big 8-7 win over Limestone College on April 7. It was a close game the whole way through, as the Crusaders were down one run heading into the eighth inning. The game went into extra innings where Giles found himself playing hero, knocking in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eleventh. Giles led the Crusaders offensively going 3-4 on the day. Other leading contributors included Frazier, who went 2-5 with four RBI, and Lupton who was 2-6 on the day.
After picking up three consecutive wins, the Crusaders gave their seniors a proper farewell on senior day with a 6-5 win over Mars Hill College on April 9. Ace Drew Provence, sophomore marketing, was on the mound for the Crusaders, where he picked up his ninth win of the season. Provence is now 9-0 as a starter. Markus Duckworth, junior social studies, had the hot bat for North Greenville, going 3-4 with a home run and four RBIs.
The Crusaders wrapped up the busy week on April 10 by splitting a series winning double header with the Lions of Mars Hill.
North Greenville would not be able to handle the Lion’s offense in game one, as they lost the game 11-7. Tyler Callicut, junior accounting, led the way offensively in the first game, blasting a two-run homer in the second inning and going 2-4 on the day.
The second game was a different story, however, as the Crusaders were able to put a staggering number of runs on the board in a 25-14 win. Ben Stechschulte, sophomore sport management, and Fulmer both had grand slams in the contest. Anthony Foulk accounted for two home runs on the day and Frazier also added one homer.
“I think the key to this season so far has been great starts from starting pitchers and relief pitching,” said Henson. “Giles and Richards have been two key relievers for us.”
The Crusaders (32-8) took on Brevard College yesterday, and will play again today against Truett-McConnell College in Hiawassee, Ga. at 3 p.m.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 11
Solid, Billy. Good to see the boys having a good season.