BOONE, N.C. – After a disappointing offensive outing on Friday night, Appalachian State University baseball came out with a purpose and an aggressive mindset from the get-go, blasting Troy 12-2 on Saturday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field.
The Mountaineers (19-28, 8-15 Sun Belt) exploded out of the Game Two gates, getting seven runs in the first two innings against the Trojans (25-21, 11-12 Sun Belt). Through the first three innings, App State was 8-for-9 when putting the ball into play and 5-for-6 with runners in scoring position, improving on Game One's 0-for-6 effort.
Keeping Troy in line offensively was Colin Schmid, who received his usual Saturday start. Schmid threw seven scoreless innings in the game, holding the Trojans to six hits while striking out six batters on the day.
On the other side at the plate, having the most hits (17) since Feb. 27, 2016 (17 vs. Quinnipiac), Appalachian was led by Matt Brill with a 4-for-5 effort (a double, home run, one RBI). Avery Jackson was one of four batters to get two hits, going 2-for-4 with a game-high three RBI. Tyler Stroup went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI while Conner Leonard had an RBI off two hits.
Jason Curtis continued his impressive weekend of play as well, going 2-for-6 on the day.
Appalachian actually began the game with back-to-back strikeouts but didn't let it affect its energy as Stroup doubled down the left field line to set things in motion. Jackson then knocked one to left field to reach, bringing home Stroup.
Jackson then went to second on a wild pitch before Brian Bauk doubled down the right field line to score him. Smart base-running then allowed Bauk to score as he advanced to third on a wild pitch and then caught the Trojan defense napping and took home right after to be the third and final run of the inning.
An aggressive Mountaineer attack continued in the second when Leonard led things off with a single to left field. Calev Grubbs then drew a five-pitch walk before Curtis loaded the bases with a shot to left field.
A good eye from Matt Vernon brought Leonard home on a RBI walk before Stroup fired one down the right field line fair to score Curtis and Grubbs. Jackson then hit a sacrifice fly to score Vernon and push the lead to 7-0.
In the third inning, a Brill rocket to center field put him on second base to set up the Leonard RBI single to right field. The Black and Gold wouldn't score in the fourth but would capitalize off base hits from Brill and Grubbs, giving Chandler Seagle the RBI when he shot one up the middle to score Brill.
App State would go to small ball tactics in the sixth extend its lead as Vernon walked and then was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stroup. Jackson then lined one through the left side to bring home Vernon. Brill got his third-straight hit of the day before Leonard's four-pitch walk loaded the bases. Grubbs then used a fielding error by Troy to reach first and that allowed Jackson to score, making the lead 11-0.
Appalachian would tack on the final run of the game with a Brill jack to center field – his third home run of the week.
The Trojans would avoid the shutout with two runs in the eighth inning, but not before Matt Schaeffer struck out two batters of his own.
The Mountaineers will try to carry momentum into Sunday's rubber match. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and available at WatchESPN.com and on the ESPN app.
