NEWBERRY, S.C. – The 26^th-ranked UNC Pembroke baseball team plated eight runs in the eighth and ninth innings to rally all the way back from a late 9-1 deficit, but Donovan Ford's RBI single with nobody out in the top of the 11^th inning pushed eighth-ranked Newberry out in front for good as the Wolves held on to beat the Braves, 10-9, on Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Southeast Regional in central South Carolina.
 
The loss signaled the end of the 2023 campaign for the Braves (39-17) who concluded the season with the third-most victories in program history, while also making their third-straight NCAA postseason appearance and fifth in the last six full seasons. It was the 25^th home win of the season for the Wolves (43-14) who still need to register a pair of triumphs over third-seeded Belmont Abbey to keep their season alive.
 
The Black & Gold will return eight position starters next season, but will be forced to bid adieu to all-region outfielder Christian Jayne. Weekend starter Branden Kunz also wrapped up his eligibility in 2023.
 

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Newberry 10, UNC Pembroke 9 (11 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Gunnar Erickson (4-1)  LP: Chase Jernigan (3-2) Save: None
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke 39-17; Newberry 43-14

KEY INNINGS
TOP 8	Newberry loaded the bases with its first three at-bats in the eighth, and stretched its lead out to eight runs, 9-1, on John Allen Forrester's 2-run single up the middle.
BOT 8	The Braves sent a dozen batters to the plate in the home half of the frame and keyed a 7-run inning with five hits and a quartet of free passes. Carlos Amezquita got the scoring started with a 3-run homer to left field, but the next five batters reached base safely after that, including run-scoring hits from Ethan Ott and Christian Jayne. A passed ball, coupled with a RBI single from Will Hood, put the sixth and seventh runs of the frame on the board.
BOT 9	Pinch hitter Blake Hinson drew a 6-pitch walk to lead off the frame, and moved into scoring position via a 1-out groundout from the bat of Spencer Faulkner. Christian Jayne evened the game up moments later when he sent Erickson's first offering of the at-bat through the left side of the infield.
TOP 11	Jomar Lugo doubled to lead off the top of the 11th, and Donovan Ford gave the Wolves the lead with the next at-bat when he punched a 2-and-2 offering from Chase Jernigan into left field.

UNCP LEADERS	NBY LEADERS
Will Hood 4-6, RBI, R Ethan Ott 3-6, 2B, 2 RBI Carlos Amezquita 2-6, HR, 2 RBI Trent Harris 1-2, BB; 6.0 IP	Jonathan Velez 2-5, RBI Donovan Ford 2-5, 3B, RBI, 2 R Braylin Marine 1-4, BB, 2 RBI Jomar Lugo 3-5, R

 

UP NEXT

Season complete.

 

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