HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team dominated with a, 21-7, win over Queens University of Charlotte on Tuesday night.
Site: Williard Stadium
Score: High Point 21, Queens 7
Records: High Point (8-1), Queens (2-6)
Head Coach Joey Hammond: "It was a good response. We talked about this yesterday, losing a close game is something we hadn't had happen yet. We're learning things about our club and one thing we need to learn is how we're going to respond after we lose a game. Putting up 11 runs in one inning is really good offense. I thought that our offense was exceptional tonight by stacking some at-bats. A lot of new guys got some opportunities which is great to be able to get their feet wet. I feel like we lost a little bit of focus in the middle innings, but it's hard. Four games in four days, with a long game tonight and a big lead. I challenged our team afterwards that championship teams find way to make everything matter. I think our guys are going to learn from that as well as continue to build upon it. I'm really proud of our guys' performance tonight."
High Point's explosive offense earned them its eighth win of the season. Scoring 21 runs all from four innings of offense and tallying 11 runs in the second inning alone. On the other side of the ball, seven different HPU pitchers saw action in tonight's game.
Charlie Jones earned the win for HPU as he grabbed the final three outs of the ball game off three strikeouts.
In the second inning, High Point batted around the order, highlighted by
Caleb Hammond sending a three-run home run over the left field wall in his first career at-bat. Hammond also singled in his second turn at the plate in the same inning.
Justin Ruiz sent a three-run shot over the left field wall to hand High Point its 11th run of the inning. Ruiz finished with a career-high four RBI night.
The Big South Player of the Week continued to rake as
Jackson Melton went 3-3 tonight with two RBI's and a walk.
Landen Johnson also recorded three hits and four RBIs with a long two-run home run to right field in the fifth inning.
High Point's five runs in the eighth inning came from two bases loaded walks and a fielding error in right field to clear the bases to score three more runs. 14 different Panthers crossed the plate in tonight's 21-run game.
Up Next: High Point will hit the road for the first time this season as they head to Mercer University for three games. HPU will play the Bears on Friday and Sunday and will match up with Florida A&M University on Saturday. The Friday Mercer game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch.
#GoHPU
