March 18, 2006

Box Score

Junior first baseman Jonathan Batts tied a UNC Wilmington school record with three doubles as the Seahawks matched their all-time high with eight two baggers, in a 21-8 win over George Mason Friday in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action at Hap Spuhler Field. UNCW's 21 runs and 22 hits were also season-highs for the club.

The Seahawks improve to 3-1 in CAA play and 15-5 overall. With the setback, the Patriots extended their losing streak to six and dip to 7-13 and 2-5 in the circuit. UNCW has now won six straight over the Patriots at Hap Spuhler Field.

Sophomore Brett Braxton improved to 4-0 by limiting the Patriots to three runs, two earned on six hits, The Hillsborugh, N.C. native walked four and struck out five in his third start of the season. Led by Batts’ four-hit game, five other Seahawks recorded multiple hit games.

Mason senior starters Eric Gibbons (2-4) allowed 15 runs, 12 earned, on 12 hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings.

The Patriots strung together two walks, to open the game, and two hits later in the frame for a 2-0 lead after one inning of play. Freshman outfielder Spencer Wiggins and senior outfielder Robby Jacobsen earned free passes, while senior third baseman Matt York and freshman first baseman Scott Keriger added run scoring singles for the lead.

UNCW drew even with two runs in the second before exploding for six in the third to take the lead. Batts drove in senior outfielder John Raynor, with his first double of the afternoon, and scored the tying run on freshman second baseman Steve Halford’s two-out single to right. The Seahawks exploded for 14 runs over the next three innings to take a commanding 16-2 lead.

Sophomore outfielder Jason Appel homered to leadoff a six-run third inning as UNCW was able to take advantage of Gibbons’ wildness with a pair of bases loaded walks. Junior catcher Chris Hatcher capped the scoring with a RBI double inside the third base bag for an 8-2 lead. Senior third baseman Matt Poulk homered and sophomore Justin Barefoot added a RBI single to extend the lead to 10-2 Seahawks in the fourth. Batts’ third double of the game drove in three and highlighted UNCW’s second six-run frame as the Seahawks built a 16-2 lead through five innings.

Mason added an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth on Wiggins RBI single to center plating senior second baseman Tyler Youngs, who reached base on an error earlier in the inning.

Batts drove in his fifth RBI of the game with a two-out single in the eighth. It was his third game of the season with at least five RBI.

George Mason sent 10 batters to the plate in a four-run eighth to move to with in 17-7. Six straight Patriots reached base off UNCW reliever Allen Flood and four scored. A two-run single by senior outfielder Brett Pomykala highlighted the outburst.

Senior infielder Lee McLean led off the ninth with a pinch hit homer as UNCW pushed its lead to 21-7 with four runs in the top of the ninth. Freshman outfielder Grayson Evans brought in two runs with a bases loaded single to left.

The series continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. start.