March 31, 2010

Final Stats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Freshman Gaither Bumgardner (Fort Lawn, S.C./Great Falls) posted a career-high three hits for the USC Upstate baseball team, but Upstate could not overcome an early 11-run deficit, as Charlotte went on for a 24-2 victory in non-conference action on Wednesday night at Robert & Miriam Hayes Stadium.

Bumgardner posted three hits in his first three at bats, as the freshman has posted five hits in his last nine at bats. The Spartans (9-19 overall) did post 12 hits, but 13 runners were stranded, while Charlotte (16-6 overall) posted 24 hits to score 24 runs.

The 49ers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run homer from Cory Tilton and a one-run shot from Ryan Rivers. The 49ers scored eight more in the second inning, thanks to six hits, a pair of walks and an error.

A solo homer over the left field wall by sophomore Austin Liput (Oviedo, Fla./Trinity Prep) put Upstate on the board in the third inning, but Charlotte responded with four more runs in the third and three unearned runs in the fourth to take an 18-1 lead.

Senior Tyler Oliver (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) stopped the 49ers in the fifth, stranding three runners on base by getting a two-out flyball to end the inning. The 49ers added two more runs on a pair of hits in the sixth. Upstate scored a run in the seventh, as freshman Tyler Miller (Fort Mill, S.C./Fort Mill) tripled off the center fielder's glove in deep center field and scored on a groundout.

The 49ers closed out their scoring by posting four runs in the eighth inning on six hits.

Liput posted two hits, a run and RBI and senior Jimmy Tanner (Fayetteville, Ga./Starr's Mill) also added two hits to give him 221 in his career, just six away from reaching Brad Wingo for fourth in school history. Miller also added two hits, a triple and single, after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh.

Rivers led the 49ers, going 5-for-5 with five runs, a homer and three RBI. Justin Wilson went 4-for-5 with four runs and two RBU and Justin Roland added a 3-for-6, two-run game. Mike Perkins also added two hits and four RBI.

Sean Pope (1-0) earned the win in his collegiate debut, allowing five hits and a run in three innings. He walked three and struck out three in the pre-determined short start. Sophomore Austin Moyer (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford) (1-3) took the loss for Upstate, allowing eight earned runs, two walks and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.

The Spartans return to Harley Park this weekend for a three-game set with 2009 A-Sun Tournament champions Jacksonville. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m. and 2009 graduate Kyle Simpson will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.