WILMINGTON, N.C. – Sophomore Bobby Hampton threw a gem in a career night, helping Appalachian State University baseball down VMI in the second matchup this weekend, 3-1, on Saturday night and get head coach Kermit Smith his first win at the helm of the program.
The Mountaineers' (1-2) southpaw tied a career-high by pitching seven shutout innings and set a new career record by striking out nine batters on the night. Hampton is the first Appalachian pitcher since Sam Agnew-Wieland on April 6, 2013 (vs. Georgia Southern) to throw at least 7.0 innings, strike out nine batters and not allow a run.
Hampton also limited the Keydets (1-2) to two hits during his time on the hill.
The game proved to be another pitching battle through three-and-a-half scoreless innings before junior Tyler Stroup started off the bottom of the fourth by launching a solo jack on the just the second pitch of the at-bat to put App up 1-0. The homer was Stroup's ninth of his career.
The Black and Gold would increase their lead in the sixth when junior Chandler Seagle singled to shallow center field and senior Brian Bauk walked on four-straight pitches. After sophomore Jason Curtis moved everybody one base on a groundout, Bauk broke home off a wild pitch by Brandon Barbery.
Wild pitches would afford Appalachian its final run of the evening in the seventh when freshman Calev Grubbs broke home as Kyle Staats' ball hit the dirt and bounced to the backstop, giving him time to cross the plate.
After seven complete innings for Hampton, senior Matt Brill came in to close out the game – his first action on the mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015. Brill allowed just one run and one hit in 2.0 innings pitched, throwing 90-plus mph consistently throughout and getting three punchouts.
The Mountaineers have just one game remaining in the Hughes Bros. Challenge in Wilmington, N.C. They take on host-team UNC Wilmington on Sunday at 2 p.m. to finish out the first tournament of the 2017 season.
