The Rise of the Southeast Region: LR battles back, UNG has great week, others: Southeast Region Recap (2/9-2/15)

#10 Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Wingate (2-1)

In a much-anticipated series, it was Lenoir-Rhyne taking the series with a huge bounce-back Saturday doubleheader sweep. After Wingate took a 14-0 run-rule win on Friday, the Bears pitching staff buckled down on the way to 5-2 and 3-0 wins. Hugo Tafoya was good in Game 2 of the series, going 6.2 innings and allowing just 2 earned with 7 strikeouts, while Jack Renaud earned the save after 2.1 scoreless innings out of the pen. Kellen Gradisar was lights out in the 7-inning rubber match, going CG shutout with no walks and 4 punchouts. Offensively, Lleyton Lackey’s two-run homer in the 7th inning put the first game away, while Sylas Boris was 2-3 with a double, homer, and 2 RBI in the finale. Another intriguing series awaits for the Bears this weekend, as they head to Carson-Newman to battle two top-end arms in Kolton Casson and Ryan Higgins.

Newberry @ #5 North Greenville, @ Anderson (3-1)

After dropping a midweek game at North Greenville, Newberry responded with a road series sweep of previously-unbeaten Anderson. Bryson Nuckols had a big weekend at the plate, going 5-12 with a double, homer, and 8 RBI. The Wolves got a big-time relief outing from Keillor Osbon in Game 1, as the junior southpaw went the final 4 innings, allowing no runs on 3 hits. Nick Riedel moved to 2-0 on the season with a CG (7 inning) shutout in Game 3, allowing just 1 hit to go along with 8 punchies. Riedel’s ERA now sits at 1.13 in his freshman campaign, and has struck out 16 in 16 innings, with opponents hitting just .132 against him.

UNC Pembroke @ Mount Olive (2-1)

The Braves went on the road and picked up a series win to open Conference Carolinas play. UNCP dropped a tight one in the series opener, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 7-5 lead, only to see Mount Olive respond with 3 of its own in the bottom half to take an 8-7 walkoff win. The Braves bounced back on Saturday, taking Game 2 by a score of 6-3 before winning a wild one 10-6 in ten innings in the rubber match. Kasen McCawley was solid in Game 2, going 6 complete with just 3 earned, while Ryan Wells came on to nail down the save. Wells would also go two scoreless in Game 3 to pick up the win. Daniel Stephens paced the offense, combining to go 9-12 with 3 doubles, a triple, four walks, and two stolen bases. 

#25 North Georgia @ #22 Young Harris, @ Georgia College (4-0)

North Georgia got its week going with a 16-3 win at Young Harris, before going on the road to sweep Georgia College to open PBC play. Kyle Robitzsch stayed hot for the Nighthawks, going 9-15 on the week with a double, homer, and 6 RBI, and is now hitting .514 on the season with just 1 strikeout in 35 at bats. Ben Hamacher raised his average to .426 with a 9-18 week, adding a double, a homer, and 5 RBI. Matthew Heard moved to 3-0 after going 7 innings with 8 strikeouts and just two earned in the series opener. Kevin Cox was even better in Game 2, going 8 innings and allowing just 1 run on 3 hits. UNG hosts Lander this weekend in what should be a fun series.

Flagler @ Florida Tech, @ Columbus State (3-1)

Flagler has quietly gotten off to an 8-2 start after taking a midweek win at Florida Tech, followed by a series win at Columbus State to open PBC play. George Gilson had a big week for the Saints, going 11-19 with 3 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs, and 12 RBI. CJ Hanson moved to 2-1 with a 7 inning CG shutout over CSU, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 6. As a team, the Saints are hitting .370 through their first 10 games.