Embry-Riddle Eliminates USCB in 3-1 Pitcher's Duel on Day Two
FT. MYERS, Fla. - The top two seeds in The Sun Conference tournament met earlier than expected on Wednesday morning in an elimination game, but the game itself was a great one, with a pair of second team All-Conference pitchers putting together a fantastic pitcher's duel. In the end, the top-seeded Embry-Riddle Eagles came away with a 3-1 victory over No. 2 South Carolina Beaufort, ending the Sand Sharks' stay at the six-team tournament, and moving ERAU to a 2 p.m. game on Thursday.
Both Adam Paulencu (ERAU) and Adam Miller (USCB) were dominant early for their teams, giving up only one hit each in the first third of the game. The Eagles struck first in the fourth when they loaded the bases with no outs against Miller. After a strikeout from Miller, Franki Arias narrowly avoided a double play by beating the throw to first after he grounded a ball to short that forced one out, but allowed the runner at third to touch home.
Paulencu delivered a shutdown inning in the home-half of the fourth, and the Eagles gave him more cushion in the fifth when Greg Smith doubled in JT Warmoth and then Jeff Lemon brought in Smith with a base knock.
The Sand Sharks failed to mount a threat until the eighth when Conald Mansfield tripled with two outs to score one run in the form of Keenan Ivey, but a groundout from Erik Armstrong ended the frame with USCB trailing, 3-1.
Andrew Barrineau kept the Blue and Gold off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth before Chad Modomo relieved Paulencu for ERAU in the final half of the inning. Modomo walked one then surrendered a single to R.J. Neal to start the frame, but a bunt from Keifer Youmans was fielded by Modomo who threw to third to retire the lead runner. Modomo got Weldon Smith to ground into an game-ending double play to send ERAU to a 3-1 victory.
Paulencu improved to 7-2 overall with his eight-inning, one run performance against USCB. Paulencu struck out seven Sand Sharks and scattered eight hits. Modomo earned his first save of the year.
Smith, Lemon and Arias collected an RBI each for Embry-Riddle, who only collected five hits against Miller.