BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball used strong hitting from its whole lineup to win its home opener against UNC Asheville, 4-3, on Wednesday night at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. The win gave Kermit Smith his first home win as head coach (1-0).
The Mountaineers (6-6) went up against eight pitchers on the evening as the Bulldogs (5-6) used the midweek matchup as a staff pitching day. Despite multiple different looks on the mound, Appalachian had six batters get a hit and two get multiple hits.
The Black and Gold got on the board first in the fourth inning of their first home game of the season as Matt Vernon started things off with a leadoff single through the left side. UNC Asheville then failed to turn the double play as Chandler Seagle beat out the throw. Facing a 3-1 hitter's count, Tyler Stroup got his second home run of the season, jacking one to left center to get his two RBI on the day.
The Bulldogs then countered in the sixth when a solo bomb to center field was followed up by back-to-back shots barreling down the right and left field line fair to bring home the tying run. Asheville then took the lead in the seventh as the Mountaineers couldn't turn the double play to end the inning, allowing one to cross the plate.
Unfettered by the tight game, App State responded with a double to deep right field by Avery Jackson and a Calev Grubbs single to right. Grubbs was then almost caught stealing second, but reached safely after the Bulldog pitcher at the time overthrew his intended target, allowing pinch runner Robert Langdon to go home. The Mountaineers then capitalized on a wild pitch that allowed Grubbs to score.
Appalachian would allow just one hit over the next two innings to close out the game. Left-handed sophomore Bobby Hampton got the start for the midweek matchup, but it was Reed Howell who received the win, entering the game in the sixth inning with the game tied at two apiece.
Closer Matt Brill received the save – his second of the year. He started the ninth inning with a one-run lead and faced just four batters, walking one, striking out the other and forcing a groundout to second base to end the game.
On the day, Drake Zupcic and Jackson helped lead the offensive charge, going 2-3 and 2-2, respectively. Brian Bauk also tied Jackson with a double on the day. App State made aggressive plays away from the plate on the base-paths, forcing the defense to either make a play or give up bases.
The Mountaineers will now embark on their longest road trip of the season thus far when they head to take on Missouri in a weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. (all eastern times) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
All three games of the series will be broadcast live on the SEC Network + and can be streamed online on WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
