HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point University baseball team fell to the Binghamton University Bearcats 9-7 in game one on Friday night.
Site: Williard Stadium
Score: High Point 7, Binghamton 9
Records: High Point (5-5), Binghamton (2-5)
Head Coach Joey Hammond: "Incredibly disappointing loss tonight. Credit Binghamton for taking advantage of our inability to do anything well after Wade [Walton] exited the game. We need to do a better job and push the right buttons that get us out of jams and also be able to put forth some competitive at bats when it gets difficult."
High Point jumped out to an early lead with a four-run first inning.
Willie Ponce opened the scoring with a solo home run to right field, and
Jake McCarter followed later in the inning with a two-run double down the left-field line.
Jace Kohler added an RBI single to give the Panthers a 4-0 advantage.
The Panthers extended the lead in the fourth inning.
Frank Kelly doubled to left before
Lane Allen drove him in with an RBI double.
Landen Johnson followed with a two-run home run to right-center, pushing the High Point lead to 7-0.
Binghamton got on the board in the seventh inning with a three-run home run, cutting the lead to 7-3. The Bearcats then scored six runs in the eighth inning to take a 9-7 lead.
High Point finished with 11 hits. Johnson went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while McCarter added two RBIs. Ponce also homered and drove in a run, and Kelly finished 2-for-4.
Wade Walton started on the mound and worked 6.2 innings, allowing one run with eight strikeouts.
Up Next: High Point is back on the diamond tomorrow for game two of the series against the Bearcats. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
#GoHPU
