GREENVILLE, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball scored runs in three of the final four frames to try to rally, but wouldn't be able to overcome its cold start in the 7-3 loss to St. John's in the first game of the LeClair Classic on Friday.
The Mountaineers (4-5) were held hitless for five innings to start the game as the Red Storm's (9-0)'s Kevin Magee would allow just one hit in 5.2 innings.
But once the ice was broken, the Black and Gold rattled off five hits to close the final four frames and put a run on the board in the sixth, seventh and ninth.
Calev Grubbs walked to start the sixth and then was able to advance to second on a wild pitch before Tyler Stroup broke the no-hit bid with a shot to left center to bring him around. Brian Bauk was the next Mountaineer to get a hit, firing one to right center in the seventh before Drake Zupcic followed up right after with a shot through the right side. With Bauk and Zupcic at the corners, Grubbs singled through the right side to bring home Bauk and push Zupcic to third.
Appalachian made things interesting in the top of the ninth when Dylan Hamel and Grubbs reached on hits-by-pitches and Avery Jackson was walked to load the bases. Chandler Seagle then chipped one to right center to bring home Hamel and advance everybody a base.
With two outs and bases juiced, Matt Vernon at the plate gave App a chance to pull a rabbit out of its hat on a game-tying grand slam. The senior would try to mimic his game-tying, three-run home run from Tuesday and got a good look at the ball, but with the wind blowing inward, the ball flew too high for a fly out to end the game.
Despite the lack of hits in the first five innings, the Mountaineers would have several players reach bases, but were just unable to bring any around once runners were in scoring position. St. John's scored six runs through four innings, but were held to just one in the second half of the game.
The Mountaineers return for Day 2 of the Keith LeClair Classic on Saturday, March 4 when they battle against long-time SoCon foe Western Carolina. First pitch is scheduled to take place at 12 p.m.
