CHARLESTON W. Va. – UC bounced back in a major way after their loss Sunday against Shippensburg University by dominating in all three phases of the game, defeating Ohio Valley 10-0.
JUST THE BASICS
LOCATION: Charleston, W. Va. – Segra Field at the Welch Athletic Complex
RECORDS: Charleston (9-5, 0-0 MEC) Ohio Valley (3-10, 0-0 Conf.)
SCORE: Charleston: 10 Ohio Valley: 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jeffrey Wong got the starting nod for the Golden Eagles and tossed 5 shutout innings with ease. His excellent performance earned him his first win of this season. Wong trusted his defense and they came through as Wong would only allow two hits and 17 of his 18 outs were via defensive plays in the field.
The ballgame started out with both squads not getting much going on the offensive end. Golden Eagles started off the 1st with a lot of potential, but their momentum was halted after a controversial call went against UC as Kyle Keenan was caught stealing 3B.
The top of the third marked the beginning of what would turn out to be a great offensive showcase from the Golden Eagles.
Hayden Cartt stepped up to the plate and launched a dart out over the left field fence that was on a rope. This jumpstarted the Golden Eagles' offense who would continuously build upon such lead throughout the ballgame.
After Wong quickly set down the OVU side in order in the bottom of the third, UC built upon their lead again in the top of the fourth.
Colby Johnson led off the inning with a single to SS then went on to steal second. Then Drew Hefner laid down a great bunt single which allowed Johnson to come around and score after an error by the second baseman.
After Wong kept the OVU offense dormant once again in the bottom of the fourth, the Golden Eagles blew this game open in the top of the fifth. UC would add on eight runs in this half-inning.
Hayden Cartt had himself an incredible inning as he led the offensive barrage with a double to left field. He'd go on to steal third. Then
Braxton Boddorfreached base off a walk and stole second. Then a rare form of a homerun came as
Jordan Bailey launched a perfectly placed ball in the right field gap and hustled his way to an inside the park homerun.
The next run would be scored via an RBI-single by
Drew Hefner Then came the highlight of the inning with the bases loaded.
Hayden Cartt stepped into the box for the second time this half-inning and delivered once again with a grand-slam that would give the Golden Eagles a commanding 10-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Hunter Townsend relieved
Jeffrey Wong and did what he does best by striking out the side looking. Then in the bottom of the seventh,
Owen MacNeil came in to close out the game and the freshman impressed by striking out the final two OVU batters, one looking and one swinging.
The Golden Eagles bounced back impressively after their loss Sunday by playing lights out baseball which was seen on the field and in the box score as the team only committed 1 error. UC will look to build upon this impressive outing next weekend against Urbana University and Notre Dame College.
THOUGHTS ON THE WEEKEND
Coach Britt loved what he saw from the guys today and thought his squad bounced back very well after Sunday's loss.
"The boys played hard today. Jeff pitched really well, commanded the strike zone and got quick outs out of the hitter. Offensively, we executed our game in a couple innings and that gave us an opportunity to put the game away before getting into the later innings. We had a good response to Sunday's outcome and I'm really proud of our guys," said Britt.
Hayden Cartt had his best game of the season, going 3-for-3, including a solo home run and grand-slam that accounted for 5 of the Golden Eagle's 10 runs scored.
"I felt like the team needed a win after a tough loss on Sunday to Shippensburg. We found a way to get ahead early against a team that could have been a challenge if we didn't play our style of baseball. I'm glad I could help the team come away with a victory today," said Cartt.
UP NEXT
Charleston will look to build upon this level of play this weekend at home against Urbana University and Notre Dame College. They will open the weekend up with games against Urbana University Saturday at 1 P.M and 4 P.M. On Sunday, they will play games against Notre Dame College at 1 P.M and 4 P.M as well.
