PEMBROKE – Joey Rezek continued his hot streak, blasting two more home runs to take over the Conference Carolinas lead with 19, while three Braves pitchers shut out USC Beaufort on the way to taking a 19-0 run-rule shortened victory Wednesday afternoon at Sammy Cox Field.
Rezek has now gotten a hit in ten straight at bats dating back to the second game of the series at King last weekend. Freshman
Jacob Smith got the win, going a career-high five innings while allowing just three hits over his scoreless outing, also racking up five strikeouts.
Redshirt senior
Spencer Faulkner etched his name into the top 10 on the all-time hits list with his three-knock game, giving him 230 for his career.
UNCP's three homers on the day took the season total to 74, breaking the single-season school record of 72 set by the 2015 team.
The Braves (35-12) swept the season series against the Sand Sharks (12-29) to move to 2-0 all-time in the newly-formed non-conference matchup.
The Braves will close out regular season play this weekend as they host conference foe Southern Wesleyan for a three-game set. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., with a Senior Day doubleheader set to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. UNCP's senior class will be recognized prior to Saturday's first game.
| GAME SUMMARY |
| FINAL SCORE |
UNC Pembroke 19, USC Beaufort 0 |
| PITCHERS |
WP: Jacob Smith (3-2) LP: Carson Tillotson (0-1) Save: None |
| RECORDS |
UNC Pembroke 35-12; USC Beaufort 12-29 |
| KEY INNINGS |
| BOT 1 |
The Braves got things started with Rezek's 18th homer of the season, this one a 2-out solo blast. Kody O'Connor followed with a hustle double, while Spencer Faulkner traded places with a hustle double of his own to make it 2-0. A Sand Shark error extended the inning for Morgan Padgett, who scored Faulkner with an RBI single. Will Hood would follow with a 3-run opposite-field blast to give the Braves a 6-0 lead after one complete. |
| BOT 3 |
UNCP tacked on four more via error, hit by pitch, wild pitch, and walk, before Faulkner came through with a 2-RBI single to stretch the lead to 12-0. |
| BOT 5 |
Rezek jumped on the second pitch of the frame, blasting a no-doubter to right field for his 19th homer of the season. Will Hood added an RBI fielders choice, while Blake Hinson scored two more with a single. The Black & Gold would score twice more on wild pitches to make it 19-0. |
| UNCP LEADERS |
USCB LEADERS |
Joey Rezek 4-4, 2 HR, BB, 3 RBI
Spencer Faulkner 3-4, 2B, SB, 3 RBI
Will Hood 2-4, HR, 3 R, SB, 5 RBI
Jacob Smith W, 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
|
Mack Cromer 1-2, BB |
| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will close out regular season play this weekend as they host conference foe Southern Wesleyan for a three-game set. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., with a Senior Day doubleheader set to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. UNCP's senior class will be recognized prior to Saturday's first game. |
| BACK THE BRAVES |
| Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Baseball program by joining the Braves Club, or by making a gift directly to the program. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu. To make a monetary gift, visit UNCPBraves.com/Give and indicate "baseball team" in notes section. |
