HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team defeated the Stonehill Skyhawks in the opening game of its three-game series, 11-4, on Friday afternoon.
Site: Williard Stadium
Score: High Point 11, Stonehill 4
Records: High Point (10-4), Stonehill (0-8)
Head Coach Joey Hammond: "Proud of the guys, I felt this was a clean game across the board. I thought Wade (Walton) was awesome. A couple of solo homers early, but he battled through, and he did a really good job. Our offense was fantastic. We got a Friday night guy, and we dropped eight runs on him in the first four innings. I think we stacked big innings a few times, put up crooked numbers and had good at-bats. When you go through the whole game on a Friday night with only four team strikeouts, that puts a lot of pressure on them. I was really pleased with that. We played good defense as well. An overall good win, it's a great way to start the weekend."
Wade Walton absolutely shoved this afternoon earning his third win of the season as HPU dominated the Skyhawks. Walton allowed four runs, on six hits, striking out seven batters in 7.2 innings of work.
Both the Skyhawks and the Panthers went down unscathed in the first frame before Stonehill answered with a solo home run to left field to score first run in the top of the second.
Christian Smith started the bottom of the second with an RBI single to initiate the merry-go-round as HPU scored six runs, on five hits to take a 6-1 lead.
Another solo home run from the Skyhawks brought their second run home in the top of the fourth inning.
Jake McCarter for High Point sent a rocket deep to center field for a solo homer of his own to extend the Panthers lead, 7-2, in the bottom half of the fourth.
With the bases loaded in the fifth inning,
Miggy Echazarreta drew another walk to score
James Murphy from third before
Landen Johnson recorded his fifth RBI of the afternoon with a two-run single to right field. Johnson's single brought the score to double digits, 11-2.
Walton got into a bit of trouble in the top of the eighth after Stonehill led off with a single as he eventually came home to score off a double to left field. The Skyhawks fourth run crossed the plate on a wild pitch before
Howell Polk relieved Walton with two outs. Polk recorded the final out as he sent down his guy swinging.
Stonehill had two runners on in the top of the ninth to try and start a rally, but Polk found his way out of it to earn High Point the series opening win on Friday night.
Up Next: High Point will play game two of the series with the Skyhawks tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Williard Stadium.
#GoHPU
