LAFAYETTE, LA. — It was a good day for High Point University baseball in the afternoon matchup with Louisiana Lafayette. Collecting nine hits through the full nine innings, the Panthers took care of business with a 5-1 win over the Ragin Cajuns to even the series 1-1.
Brett Wozniak had himself a day on the mound, pitching a complete game (9-innings) to secure his first win as a Panther. He allowed seven hits, one run, and collected three strikeouts to help lead the Panthers to victory. Wozniak becomes the first pitcher since
Teddy Merritt in 2021 at Winthrop to toss a complete 9-inning game.
Site: Russo Park
Score: High Point 5, Louisiana Lafayette 1
Records: High Point (6-8), Louisiana Lafayette (8-5)
Joey Hammond: "First and foremost
Brett Wozniak was incredible today. He pitched a masterful complete game against a very talented lineup in one of the most difficult places to play in the country. I thought Brett controlled the tempo of the game and attacked with a 4 pitch mix from the start. After facing some adversity in the first and allowing a run- he settled and made pitches all day long. I'm proud of our defense for responding after a tough night with the leather last night. Our infielders made plays from start to finish and handled the ball well all game. Offensively, I am pleased to have won a game in a different fashion than how we've won so far this year. We manufactured runs with some situational at bats, a big 2 out RBI to extend the lead and an aggressive style on the bases with 6 stolen bases today that made the difference. Credit goes to Coaches Williard and Maness for the aggressive execution today and an unbelievable job by Coach Miller to work with Blake (catcher) and Woz on the mound. We have an opportunity to win a series tomorrow and our guys should be excited to compete."
Like the first game, Louisiana Lafayette struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. A single shot to center field allowed the runner on second base to mark the first run of the game.
Up until the sixth inning, action was minimal in rounding the bases. Two hits were counted for the Panthers through the five innings, including singles from
Javon Fields and
Jackson Melton.
Wozniak closed out the bottom of the fifth with a strikeout which helped fire up the team in their next at bat. Leading off,
Bett Ahalt sent a shot to left field to get on with a single. Moving Ahalt to second, the three-hole batter,
Cael Chatham singled into right field with one out.
A throwing error from the catcher on a throw down pick-off attempt to third base allowed for Ahalt to stroll into home plate and Chatham to move to third. A big hit from
Adam Stuart gave High Point the 2-1 lead before ending the inning.
The Panthers allowed one hit for Louisiana Lafayette through the next two innings and when things got rocky for the Ragin Cajuns in the field, HPU capitalized on it. Two walks and a steal in the top of the eighth set the Panther's runners up on the corners.
Stuart engaged the Louisiana Lafayette defense in a run down from first to second which distracted the team from Fields on third. Fields scored the third run for High Point and Stuart advanced to third on the overthrow to home plate.
Jack Pokorak added the fourth run with a shot down the third base line for Stuart to score.
The Ragin Cajuns could only get one more hit off of Wozniak in the last two innings, as the Panthers extended their lead to four off a wild pitch. Finishing the game in the field, a 6-4-3 double play secured the 5-1 win for High Point.
Up Next: The Panthers return to Russo Park for the final matchup of the series with the Ragin' Cajuns at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
#GoHPU
