Columbia
USC Upstate
Baseball Takes Opener at USC Upstate, 4-1
3/20/2015 6:06:00 PM | Baseball
BOX SCORE (.html) | BOX SCORE (.pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Columbia baseball team ended a four-game slide with a 4-1 victory over USC Upstate in the first game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon. The Lions (4-9) received a strong day from Jordan Serena, who offensively went 2-for-5 with an RBI, run scored and stolen base, and had eight putouts from centerfield.
After putting runners on in three of the first four innings, Columbia finally broke through in the fifth. Will Savage reached on a single and moved into scoring position after the Spartan (8-12) shortstop's throw wound up in the Lions' dugout. Shane Adams followed with a base-hit up the middle to give Columbia a 1-0 advantage and the Lions were not done.
With two outs in the frame, Jordan Serena legged out a double when the USC Upstate centerfielder could not come up with a diving catch. The Spartans then intentionally walked Joey Falcone, but Gus Craig made USC Upstate pay. Craig singled to left to knock in Serena and the third run of the inning came in after the leftfielder misplayed the ball.
However, the Spartans had an answer in the bottom of the inning. Two straight doubles put USC Upstate on the board with no outs.
Starting pitcher Kevin Roy was in control over the first five innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth when he loaded the bases with two hit batters and a walk. First-year Bryce Barr came out of the bullpen to face Stephen Dowling and got the job done with a strikeout to retire the side.
The Lions added an insurance run in the top of the ninth on an opposite field single by Serena, extending the margin to 4-1, but the Spartans did not go quietly.
With one out, Jaden Savage drew a walk, a single by Daniel Fickas and a hit batter loaded the bases. Columbia opted to go to the bullpen and Matt Robinson got the job done, recording a strikeout and fly out to slam the door for his first save of the season.
Roy (1-1) struck out four and allowed just the one run on four hits in his 5.2 innings of work. Barr also added four punch-outs in 2.2 scoreless innings.
Adams, Craig and John Kinne each picked up two hits in the matinee.
