Blue Eagles Can't Sweep Aggies
Web Posted July 9, 2010
Randall Stewart

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Although the day started in promising fashion, Spartanburg fell short of a doubleheader sweep at home Friday night against Morganton, winning the first game 8-6 before falling 9-2 in the nightcap.

Coastal Carolina’s Ryan Connolly picked up the win for Spartanburg in the first game, pitching 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief after taking over for starter Gus White in the fourth inning. The Blue Eagles were down 3-0 before Brody Greer’s triple that scored two runs in the fourth. He would come around to score on a single by Alex Dozier.

After falling behind in the next frame, Spartanburg sent ten men to the plate in a five-run fifth inning. The Blue Eagles used a double, three singles, two walks, and two Morganton errors to turn a 4-3 deficit into a four-run lead.

Chris Knauff picked up his league-leading eighth save, giving up two seventh-inning runs but nailing down the win for Spartanburg. Paul Nitto paced the Blue Eagles offensively, collecting two doubles that just missed leaving the ballpark in his four plate appearances.

Spartanburg used an Alex Dozier single, a throwing error, and two groundouts to tie the game at 1 in the first inning after surrendering an early run. But Morganton packed a powerful counterpunch, scoring six runs on five hits in the third inning and chasing starter Stefan del Pino. Each of the first six batters reached base in the inning.

Morganton would eventually build their lead to 9-1 on a home run by Keith Whitman. Spartanburg manufactured a single run in the sixth but could draw no closer in a 9-2 defeat.

del Pino suffered the loss for the Blue Eagles, giving up seven runs through 2 2/3 innings. Alex Dozier, an All Star selection at the designated hitter position, was 2-for-3 for the Blue Eagles at the plate.

With Friday’s split, Spartanburg’s overall record sits at 19-15, 11-5 in the SCBL West. The Blue Eagles can position themselves to win the West with a split in tomorrow’s doubleheader on the road against the last-place Carolina Chaos.

Spartanburg’s next home contest will be Monday, July 12 against the Lake Norman Copperheads, who sit atop the East Division standings. Game time is set for 7:00. The game will be sponsored by ESPN 1400 AM, and fans wearing their favorite college team’s apparel will be admitted for $3. All other tickets will be $5.