BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball would stage a late comeback on Sunday afternoon, but fell one run shy in the series finale against UT Arlington, 6-5, at Smith Stadium.
In the closest game of the series, the Mountaineers (12-30, 3-9 Sun Belt) led for three innings after giving up two runs in the second innings to the Mavericks (17-16, 7-4 Sun Belt).
In the inning, Jared McCarver drew a walk and Conner Leonard hit a bullet through the left side to get runners in scoring position. That allowed Calev Grubbs to hit a beautiful sacrifice bunt to runners to second and third to set up a sacrifice fly by Jason Curtis.
Appalachian got their second run of the inning after Matt Vernon reached on a throwing error and Leonard scored on the error before Drake Zupcic singled to bring in Vernon.
After two scoreless innings where both pitchers battled, UT Arlington would retake the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth and another run in the eighth.
The Black and Gold fought to the end, however, as they have all weekend, and staged a comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Brill continued his impressive week at the plate by getting a leadoff single to the pitcher to start the inning. Brian Bauk and Tyler Stroup then drew a walk to set up an Avery Jackson shot to left center that brought home both to climb within one run.
A bang-bang tough double play would end up dooming App State in the end as the comeback fell short.
While also pitching 1.1 innings and getting a strikeout on the day, Brill also led all hitters with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double. Jackson led all batters with two RBI while Zupcic finished 1-3 with one RBI.
This week, Brill has hit .462 (6-13) with two doubles, a home run and two RBI to finish with a .846 slugging percentage. He also was able to cross the plate twice himself.
On the mound, Luke Watts went an impressive 5.1 innings that included four scoreless. Watts finished with nine hits allowed, four earned runs and three strikeouts. Reed Howell made his second appearance on the bump this weekend, going 2.1 innings and allowing just one hit, one run and striking out one. Brill closed the game.
The Mountaineers will go on the road for five games, beginning on Tuesday, April 11 at former SoCon foe Davidson. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
