Box Score Jeff Cowan's two-run single in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the game-winning hit and Jeremy Berg struck out Zac Rhinesmith looking to record the final out of the inning in leading High Point to a 6-5 victory over Presbyterian Friday night at Coy O. Williard Sr. Stadium.
The Panthers took a quick 1-0 lead after an inning of play. Cowan singled to left field to lead off the game and moved up to second base on a wild pitch. Alfie Wheeler then bunted him over to third base. Cowan would cross the plate on another wild pitch for the early edge.
Presbyterian would answer right back in the second inning scoring three runs and the lead would hold up until the fifth inning. The first two PC batters reached on a single and walk, respectively and moved up on a sacrifice bunt. Andrew Williams doubled to left field bringing in both runners. Gabe Grammer would follow it up with another single before Jesse Harmon laid down a safety squeeze for a single, allowing Williams to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage.
HPU would score the next two runs of the contest in the fourth and fifth innings knotting the game at 3-3. In the fourth, Wheeler singled to left field and then stole second. Max Fulginiti laced a liner back up the middle off the PC pitcher that caromed into the outfield allowing Wheeler to cross the plate, cutting into the deficit, 3-2. With one out in the fifth, Spencer Andrews singled, Pablo Rosario walked and Cowan was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wheeler smacked a ball up the middle that was snagged by a diving second baseman who was able to force Cowan out at second, but the play plated Andrews.
Jared Combs started the sixth for the Blue Hose with a double to left field. Drew Wingo advanced him up to third base and Combs then crossed the plate on a Rhinesmith sacrifice fly.
High Point would regain the lead for good the next half inning which began with Bill Manion being hit by a pitch. He advanced to second on a groundout by Kyle Mahoney and scored on a Billy Alvino single to center field. After a strikeout, Andrews reached on a bunt single and Rosario was hit by a pitch. Cowan would rip a single through the left side, plating Alvino and Andrews for a 6-3 lead.
PC made things interesting in the ninth inning when Cory Lyda hit a one-out double to left center field. After another groundout, a blooper to right field by Combs brought in Lyda. After another single put runners on the corner, Berg came on and struck out Rhinesmith to end the ballgame.
RJ Chlebnikow worked seven innings to pick up his second win of the season. The southpaw allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out two. Zach Scott tossed 1.2 innings allowing one run and recording two strikeouts. Berg earned his first save of the season striking out the only batter he faced. Alvino, Andrews and Cowan all picked up two hits for the Panthers. Fulginiti extended his hitting streak to 14 games, while Wheeler upped his to eight-games. Mahoney had his career-high 15 game and team season-high hitting streak snapped.
Andrew Foushee worked three innings allowing two runs and suffered the loss, dropping his record to 1-2. Combs paced the PC offense with four hits, two runs scored and one run batted in. Williams picked up three hits driving in two runs and scoring one.
The two sides will continue the series tomorrow, April 4th with game two at Williard Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
