HIGH POINT, N.C. – The opening game of the Big South Championship baseball tournament on Thursday was almost a “must win” for the top-seeded Presbyterian Blue Hose.
Fourth-seeded Charleston Southern (22-30) shocked the Hose, 5-4, in the tourney opener at Truist Point, the minor-league home of the High Point Rockers.
By virtue of the regular-season title, the Blue Hose played the fourth seed, Charleston Southern.
PC had won its last seven Big South regular-season games. Three were at Charleston Southern.
The game started disastrously. On Daniel Eagen’s first pitch, Cade Conway singled through the left side of the infield. On his second, B.J. Banyon singled through the right side. While Banyon was engaged in a rundown between first base and second, Conway made a dash home and beat the throw. Banyon made it to third, but Eagen kept him there by inducing two weak grounders and striking out Lucas Pringle.
After CSU starter Sam Massey retired the first batter, the game was technically delayed because a communications device worn by Massey failed. With dugout contact restored, Massey finished retiring the Blue Hose in order.
Eagen mowed down the Bucs in the second inning on a fly, a popup and a grounder.
Jack Gorman struck Presbyterian’s first hit, a solid single to center with two out in the bottom of the inning.
Conway and Banyon teamed up for the Buccaneers’ second run, as well. Conway singled again and stole second. Banyon drove him in with a one-out single to center.
In the bottom of the third inning, Massey, who entered the game with an earned-run average of 6.84, retired PC in order.
Eagen (L, 6-2), the conference pitcher of the year, struck out the first batter in the fourth inning, but Pringle reached first base on a passed ball. Gavin Bogdancik, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. J.J. Rivera walked. Evann Long doubled to right-center field, scoring Bogdancik, and Rivera scored on a wild pitch.
After 3-1/2 innings, Charleston Southern led, 4-0. In the PC fourth, Dragoo walked, but the inning ended when first baseman Chandler Tuupo made a diving stab of Noah Lebron’s liner and doubled up Lebron.
Presbyterian (29-26) threatened mildly in the fifth inning when Jackson Hugus walked and moved to second base on a wild pitch, but Evan Cuervo struck out to end the inning.
When Eli Lazio walked in the bottom of the sixth, it marked the first time a PC batter reached base to lead off an inning. Wetherington then singled through the left side of the infield. Evan Truitt came in to pitch for Massey, who allowed only two hits but three walks. Brody Fahr walked to load the bases with none away. Dragoo grounded into a double play in which he was originally ruled safe at first, but the call was reversed on appeal. Lazio scored anyway, but the situation changed from bases loaded, none away, to two out with a runner on second.
Fahr scored PC’s second run after Lebron’s infield single. Fahr scored on an errant throw by Bucs second baseman Long that advanced Lebron to second base.
After a walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch, Eagen pitched out of a seventh-inning threat by striking out the final two batters he faced.
Robbie Boykin succeeded Eagen on the mound but gave up a Bogdanchik homer that extended Charleston Southern’s lead to 5-2 in the eighth inning.
But Dragoo unleashed a two-run bomb, his 18th, in the bottom of the eighth, drawing the Blue Hose to within a run. It was PC’s only extra-base hit.
Only second baseman Jack Gorman had two hits for the Hose.
For CSU, Banyon went 2/4 and drove in two runs. He was also hit by an Eagan pitch and stole a base.
In five innings, Massey (W, 3-5) gave up only two, walked three and fanned five. Truitt picked up his sixth save, hurling four innings.
Eagen walked only two and struck out 10.
The game ended with the potential tying run on second base when Fahr lined out to first.
Take a look at the box here.
Decision time is approaching. What’s next? Do I keep doing it the way I am now? Do I amend this site? Do I continue to concentrate on local sports coverage, or do I change my priorities?
I’m thinking. I’m thinking.
Blue, Green, Purple & Red cannot solely be funded by advertising. There’s not enough room. If you like the coverage, please donate whatever you consider appropriate via Venmo at DHK Sports. You may send a check, if you prefer, to DHK Sports, 11185 Hwy. 56N, Clinton, S.C. 29325.
If you choose, make a monthly donation via Patreon. The Laurens County site is here. The Furman site is here.
Support the advertisers. They are all fine people who appreciate my attempts to restore coverage of local sports.
In the off chance you’d like to read my novels and other books, they’re available on Amazon and many prominent bookseller sites.
Photo galleries are posted on Instagram @furmanatt and @laurenscountysports.
Thanks for your support.
Blue, Green, Purple & Red 