BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball scored in each of the first five innings and rolled to a 17-0 win over visiting North Carolina Central on Thursday afternoon at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Appalachian (28-17) recorded its second shutout in four games and scored in double-figures for the third time in its last four outings. The victory completed an 18-2 April for ASU, which has won 14 in a row at home and 22 of its last 25 overall.
Thursday’s win was never in doubt, as the Mountaineers scored three runs in the first inning, six in the second, three more in the third and two apiece in the fourth and fifth to jump out to a 16-0 lead after five stanzas. ASU head coach
Chris Pollard began making mass substitutions in the third inning and 24 different players wound up seeing action for the Apps.
Third baseman
Isaac Harrow led the Mountaineers with a 3-for-3 effort that included his 11th home run of the season, a double, sacrifice fly, four RBI and three runs scored. The senior has gone 13-for-16 at the plate over the past five games to move to second in the Southern Conference and into the top 25 nationally with a .432 batting average.
Six Appalachian pitchers combined for the shutout. Starter
Matt Andress (3-5) allowed three hits and struck out three over three innings to earn the win.
The red-hot Mountaineers now embark on an eight-day break from game action to focus on final exams. They return to the field next Friday, May 8 when they open a three-game SoCon series at UNC Greensboro. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at UNCG Baseball Stadium.
Courtesy: ASU Athletics