Box Score Box Score

Steve Antolik hit a two-run homer to left field in the top of the ninth inning to lift High Point to a 5-4 win over Liberty Saturday in the final game of the series. Antolik took an 0-2 pitch from Beakler out of the park for his third home run of the season. Jaime Schultz pitched 3-2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts for his second win of the season.

“It was great to get a win,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “The story today was the two freshman pitchers. We got an outstanding start from Jared Avidon and Jaime slammed the door on them. This win will pay dividends down the line, 4-5 in conference play is much better than 3-6. We have had a rough stretch the last week but we didn't quit and we won't.”

HPU scored all its run on home runs as Nate Roberts and Matt Gantner went yard in the fourth inning.

Liberty capitalized on two HPU errors in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Michael Robertson scored when P.J. Jimenez reached on an error by Mike Mercurio. Jimenez came around to score on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Roberts led off the fourth inning with a solo homer, his tenth home run of the season. After, the home run Kyle Mahoney singled up the middle to bring Gantner to the plate. Gantner hit his fifth homer of the season to give HPU a 3-2 lead. Gantner's shot to right center went over the netting and hit the light post.
The Panthers threatened in the fifth inning when Pablo Rosario singled through the right side to lead off the inning. Murray White IV sacrificed Rosario to second and Umberger intentionally walked Roberts before Liberty went to the bullpen. Dane Beakler got Mahoney to hit in to a double play on the first pitch to get out of the inning without a run scoring.

Liberty took the lead back in the sixth inning with two runs off Avidon. Nathan Thompson singled and scored and Robertson walked and came around on a wild pitch. With a 2-2 count to P.J. Jimenez, Cozart went to the bullpen, bringing Schultz in to the game. Schultz struck Jimenez out swinging on his first pitch and then got Trey Wimmer to strike out to get out of the inning.

Antolik's home run came with no outs and scored Fulginiti who had the led off the inning with a single.

“I am just glad we pulled out the win,” Antolik said. “I had a rough weekend but I was able to help the team a lot with that swing.”

Schultz came back out for the bottom of the ninth, and after giving up two singles shut the door on Liberty's rally with three straight outs. He got Redal to fly out to centerfield after Redal had come up with two hits and a sacrifice fly earlier in the game. Pinch hitter Justin Richardson struck out and Tyler Break popped up to first base to end the game.”

“After giving up the two hits I just went back to the game plan and found the strike zone,” Schultz said. “I looked around and trusted my team and the comfort level that comes from that settled me down.”

The Panthers travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game at Wake Forest. HPU beat the Demon Deacons 11-3 on March 24.