Box Score Box Score

The High Point University baseball team scored in the first inning for the fourth straight game but the Panthers were held scoreless for the rest of the game and dropped a 5-3 decision to Troy Sunday at Riddle-Pace Field.

“This was a very tough weekend obviously,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “Troy made plays, made pitches and got hits when they needed them. We have a long way to go this season. We need the veteran hitters to step up because some of them have given us nothing. On the positive side our pitching got better in every game. We have to build on that and rally for the home opener against Elon.”

Drew Dades allowed three runs on seven hits in 5-1/3 innings of relief and took the loss for High Point. For the Trojans, Nick Ward went 1-1/3 innings in relief of freshman Jimmy Hodgskin to pick up the win. Hodgskin went four innings, allowing three runs, two earned on five hits with five strikeouts in his collegiate debut.

HPU starts the season 0-4 and will play Elon Tuesday in the home opener. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Panthers scored three runs in the first, two on an RBI single form sophomore Zach Tessier. Steve Antolik also drove in a run with a single to center field.

Troy answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a leadoff walk to Adam Bryant. Tyson Workman followed with a basehit to shortstop but a throwing error by Mike Mercurio allowed Bryant to score. The Trojans second run came from a sacrifice fly off the bat of T.J. Rivera.

Steven Schils got out of the first with a double play ball but couldn't make it through the second, giving up back-to-back base hits before he was replaced on the mound by Drew Dades.

Schils lasted one inning, allowing two runs, one earned with two walks.

Dades kept the Trojans off the scoreboard until a three-run fifth inning put the Panthers behind 5-3. Tyler Hannah had an RBI single to plate Rivera and Todd McRae picked up two RBI with a double to left field.
HPU had chances to score, getting the leadoff batter on in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings but strikeouts and double plays kept HPU from scoring runs.

Senior Mikel Rodenberg pitched 1-2/3 innings to end the game, allowing just one hit.

Antolik finished the day 2-2 with two walks and Tessier went 1-2 with two RBI.