Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Freshman Christian Turnipseed (Powder Springs, Ga. / Harrison) took control of both games to book a win and a save, while allowing no hits as the University of Charleston baseball team extended its winning streak to nine-straight games, Tuesday afternoon.
Turnipseed entered the afternoon with a 0-2 record and an 11.67 ERA in 11 appearances this season, but he proved to be too much for the Fighting Falcons to handle in closing both games. He recorded two strikeouts and no hits to extinguish back-to-back Fairmont State comeback attempts.
FSU (11-24, 8-13) grabbed a 3-0 lead after its at-bat in the third inning against Charleston starter Jake Ciolfi (Cranston, R.I. / Cranston East). Ciolfi received help from the Golden Eagle offense in the home half of the third inning as the UC lineup exploded for five runs on five hits and two walks for a 5-4 advantage. Senior second baseman Garrett Proctor (Fleming, Ohio / Vincent-Warren) highlighted the big inning with a three RBI double that was scorched to the left-center gap. Nick Barnes (Strasburg, Va. / Strasburg) also booked an RBI double in the inning, while Sage Iacovone (Liberty Township, Ohio / Moeller), Tim Rein (Cross Lanes, W.Va. / Logan) and Ryan Foster Cincinnati, Ohio / Colerain) each had singles.
The teams would combine for only two hits over the next three innings before Fairmont State showed signs of life with what would ordinarily be a successful comeback against UC relievers Travis Zimmerman (Chesapeake, Ohio / Chesapeake) and Corey Lakatos (Holden, W.Va. / Logan). The Fighting Falcons capitalized on back-to-back walks to lead off the inning before Sam Belcastro drove in both with a two RBI single. FSU added two runs off a two-out fielding error on a ground ball through the infield to take what looked like a commanding 7-5 lead with two runners in scoring position. Head Coach Tom Nozica turned to Turnipseed to put out the fire as he recorded the final two-outs of the inning to strand two Falcon runners.
The University of Charleston winning streak looked as if it had found the end of the road as FSU catcher Shaun Vernesoni moved to the mound to force a pop-up to rightfield by Andy Stichter (Inglis, Fla. / Dunnellon) for the first out in the bottom of the seventh. Iacovone got the rally started for the Golden Eagles with a single to center before giving way to pinch runner Corey Hill (Leetonia, Ohio / Crestview) who immediately stole second base. After FSU recorded the second out of the inning Proctor again showed power at the plate with an RBI double off the right-center wall to get Charleston within a run.
After surrendering a walk to Rein, the Fighting Falcons would crack under the pressure as Foster struck out swinging yet advance to first when the catcher mishandled the ball then was charged with a throwing error on the toss to first base. With the bases loaded Ryan Hathaway (Fredericktown, Ohio / Fredericktown) booked the game tying RBI when he was hit in the back by a two-strike fastball. Leadoff hitter Ross Easterling (Logan, W.Va. / Logan) became the hero at the plate by delivering the game-winning drive down the leftfield line to plate Rein and seal the 8-7 win to keep Charleston in the playoff race.
Proctor ended the opening game 2-for-4 with a run scored and four RBIs. Iacovone also booked a 2-for-4 performance in the victory. Turnipseed was credited with his first career win
Game two saw the home team string together six hits in the first two innings to grab an early 3-0 advantage. Just as in the first contest Fairmont State proved their offensive prowess can be streaky by batting through the order in the top of the third for five runs. Charleston turned to reliever Alec Austin (Ronceverte, W.Va. / Greenbrier East) to quell the FSU run with the Falcons up 5-3, which Austin would hold for three innings.
UC got within 5-4 on a Barnes RBI single to plate Hathaway in the bottom of the fourth. Charleston showed its ability to string together a rally in the fifth to open a lead of their own with four runs in the home side of the fifth inning. Hathaway and Barnes again combined to lead the Golden Eagles as Hathaway drove home two RBIs in the inning before Barnes plated him for the second-straight inning with a deep triple to right-centerfield for an 8-5 lead.
Austin would be relieved in the bottom of the seventh by Turnipseed after loading the bases with no outs. Turnipseed against delivered by setting down the three batters he faced in order for his fourth save of the season.
In the second contest, leading hitter Jon Schraer (Cincinnati, Ohio / Anderson) paced UC with a 2-for-2 performance with a run scored and an RBI. Barnes and Hathaway each also were credited with two-hits apiece.
The University of Charleston returns to the diamond against Kanawha Valley rival WV State with a slot in the West Virginia Conference playoffs on the line on Saturday, April 30. The doubleheader is slated for a 1:00 pm first pitch at Cal Bailey Field in Institute, W.Va.
