BOONE, N.C. – In the first game at Riddle-Pace Field this year below 60 degrees, Appalachian State University baseball was unable to bring home the runners in position, falling 9-1 to Troy on Friday night.
With plenty of opportunities early on, the Mountaineers (18-28, 7-15 Sun Belt) were 0-for-6 through three innings with runners in scoring position, while the Trojans (25-20, 11-11 Sun Belt) were able to go up 1-0 early in the second.
The game wasn't out of reach for the Black and Gold until the bottom of the fifth when Troy put up a five-spot with an error in the inning as well.
Jason Curtis had an impressive start to the game, hitting a leadoff double in the first and making a beautiful diving catch while at shortstop. Despite the good play from Curtis, Avery Jackson would be the one to help the Mountaineers avoid the shutout, bringing home their lone run with a seventh-inning triple to right center to plate Dylan Hamel, who reached on a four-pitch walk.
Brian Bauk also had a double on the night, finishing 1-for-3 overall, while Bradley Davis and Hamel both were able to single through the infield.
On the mound, Travis Holden went the first 4.1 innings of the game with six hits and five runs in his final line to go along with two strikeouts. Dallas DeVrieze put in a full inning of work, striking out two and allowing just one run, while Matt Schaeffer went two-thirds of an inning.
Thomas Young proved to be the most effective reliever on the day for Appalachian. He went the final two innings of the game and allowed just one hit, one run and punched out two batters.
The Mountaineers will try to even up the series against Troy when they go at it in Game Two. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and available at WatchESPN.com and on the ESPN app.
