Box Score Box Score

Senior Matt Gantner went 3-4 with three runs scored and three RBI and freshman Jared Avidon improved to 2-0 to lead the High Point University baseball team to a 16-5 win over Eastern Kentucky Sunday at Williard Stadium. The Panthers picked up their third weekend sweep of the season with the win over EKU.

“I am very proud of the way this team approaches every game,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “We have been consistent in our energy and focus. They believe in the system and it is great to get the results you want. It was a great three-game series.”

Avidon picked up his second win of the season, pitching 5-2/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts.

HPU took a 6-0 lead in the first inning. With runners on first and second Kyle Mahoney and Matt Gantner had back-to-back RBI singles through the right side. Max Fulginiti was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Steve Antolik who came up with the single, scoring Mahoney and Ganter. Freshman Scott Glover picked up the final two RBI of the inning with a double to right field.

Eastern Kentucky cut the lead to four with two runs in the top of the second off a one-out homer by Ryan Faidley. After giving up the home run, Avidon struck out the side to end the inning.

Gantner led off the third inning with a home run, extending HPU's lead to 7-2. It was his second home run of the season.

“I felt like I had an off day yesterday,” Gantner said. “Today I just wanted to get good pitches to hit and try and drive them. I am glad we came out with the sweep today.”

Avidon gave up two more runs in the fourth, on two hits and a walk. He got the first two outs in the fifth inning before being relieved by Spencer Andrews.

“I knew to go for the sweep today I had to go out and throw strikes,” Avidon said. “I got a little shaky after the home run but I just focused on throwing strikes and I really felt great out there today.”

The Panthers added three more runs in the fifth. Roberts scored on a triple down the right field line by Gantner, and Fulginiti and Glover each had RBI singles.

Mahoney had a three-run homer in the fourth and Sal Pezzino picked up an RBI on a single through the right side. It was Mahoney's second home run of the season.

Andrews pitched a scoreless 1-1/3 inning and Kyle Starnes came out to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.
Andrew Bartlett picked up two RBI in the bottom of the eighth with a single up the middle, scoring Pezzino and Mike Gragilla.

Sophomore Al Yevoli took the mound in the ninth inning, allowing one run on four hits with two strikeouts.

Mahoney finished the day 2-5 with four RBI and Murray White IV went 4-6 with two runs scored.

High Point improves to 11-3 on the season while Eastern Kentucky fell to 6-6. The Panthers will play just their second road game of the season Tuesday when they head to North Carolina A&T for a 3 p.m. game.