Feb. 21, 2010

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CLINTON, S.C. - Sophomore Austin Moyer (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford) struck out a career-high eight and allowed just two runs in five innings of work, but a lone tally in the seventh inning helped lift Presbyterian College to a 3-2 win over the USC Upstate baseball team in non-conference action at the PC Baseball Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Moyer pitched well for the Spartans (1-2 overall), striking out one in the first to shake off a walk and a hit before striking out two in the second inning. After allowing a lone hit in the third, he ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing a leadoff walk, a single and a hit batter that helped set up a two-RBI single from Alex Loftin. However, Moyer settled down to strike out the side. In the fifth, he added two more strikeouts.

In the top of the sixth inning, Upstate finally struck off the Blue Hose (1-2 overall), as starter Jordan Pace allowed just one hit through the first five innings. Junior Andre Harris (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) started the rally with a leadoff walk and junior Joe Barnes (Lake Orion, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) followed with a single through the left side. After a groundout scored Harris, pinch-hitting senior Brian Dempsey (Montverde, Fla./East Ridge) singled into right to tie the game.

Freshman Gaither Bumgardner (Fort Lawn, S.C./Great Falls) (0-1) pitched well in relief of Moyer, getting the Blue Hose out in order in the sixth, but he ran into trouble in the seventh when Nate Chong lifted a double that blooped in just inside the foul line in short left field. Mack Hite followed with a single that took a tough hop and got through the left side, scoring the winning run.

Bumgardner allowed just two hits and the one run in three innings of relief, striking out two in the tough-luck loss. Pace (1-0) earned the win, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs, three hits and a walk. He struck out three. Jesse Harmon earned the save, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Hite led the Blue Hose, going 4-for-4 with the game-winning RBI, accounting for more than 50 percent of PC's seven hits. Dempsey, Barnes and freshman Brody Greer (Belton, S.C./Belton-Honea Path) had the three hits for Upstate.

The Spartans get back on the field on Tuesday, heading to 2009 CAA regular-season champion Georgia State in the first of a home-and-home midweek. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.