Box Score I Play-by-Play

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team plated three runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull within one of host USC Upstate on Saturday afternoon, but the Colonels’ rally fell short as the host Spartans added a run in their half of the eighth and held on to win game two of this weekend’s series, 6-4, at Harley Park.

With EKU (2-4) trailing 5-1 heading into the eighth, junior Austin Grisham led off with a base hit and then went to third when sophomore Sean Hagen reached on an error by Upstate left fielder Tyler Cook. The next batter, senior #A.J. Jamison#, singled, scoring Grisham and advancing Hagen to third. After junior Shaun Ball went down on strikes, senior Richie Rodriguez laced a single down the right field line that scored Hagen. Sophomore Bryan Soloman then ended the scoring with an RBI groundout that plated Jamison and made it 5-4.

After Upstate (5-1) extended its lead to two runs on an RBI single by Jordan Stampler in the bottom half of the eighth, EKU threatened again in the top of the ninth. Senior Jacob Daniel led off that inning with a double and then went to third on a fly out by senior Michael Garcia. After Grisham flew out for the second out of the inning, Hagen walked and was replaced by pinch runner Demetrius Moorer, putting runners on the corner with two down and Jamison, who was batting .667 (6-for-9) in the series, at the plate. Moorer, however, attempted to steal his way into scoring position and was thrown out at second to end the game.

Junior right-hander Chase Greene (0-2) started on the mound for EKU and got the loss, going 4.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four batters.

Left-hander Scott DeCecco (2-0) earned the win for Upstate, pitching seven strong innings and surrendering just one run on four hits.

Jamison led EKU at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Rodriguez finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Greg Guers drove in a game-high three runs to pace Upstate.

First pitch in the final game of this weekend’s series is set for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.