April 30, 2009

Final Stats

BOONE, N.C.- The Mountaineers of Appalachian State wasted no time on Thursday afternoon in taking care of business against the Eagles of North Carolina Central University, scoring in five consecutive innings, dispatching NCCU 17-0 at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.

Due to end of semester exams and academic responsibilities, NCCU dressed only 17 players on Thursday, leaving behind its top three hitters in the order along with both catchers.

Appalachian State scored early in the contest scoring three runs right off the bat off of two hits to take the 3-0 advantage after one inning.

Trailing by that score in the second, the Eagles slapped two base hits. NCCU freshman Ross Plummer started it off with a one out single to left center field. The second hit came from second baseman Tim Rennard, putting runners at first and third with two outs. Unfortunately, the Eagles could not get the run across still trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the second.

The ensuing at-bat for Appalachian proved to be the Eagles undoing as ASU scored six runs including two round trippers to blow the game wide open with a 9-0 lead through two innings.

Appalachian continued to put the pressure on NCCU scoring three runs in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the fifth, pulling away 16-0 after five innings.

The final run for ASU (28-17, 13-12 SoCon) came in the seventh inning when the Mountaineers Seth Grant hit his first home run of the season for the game's final tally.

Appalachian's All-Socon player Issac Harrow went three-for-three with four RBI, with a double and hits his 11 home run of the season.

On a positive note, NCCU sophomore Blake Murray extended his hitting streak to 13 games. The loss sends NCCU (5-30) to its 10 straight loss on the season, and now the Eagles focus its attention to its Sunday afternoon's twinbill against N.C. State at Doak Field. First pitch is set for 12:00.