GREENWOOD – The Lander baseball team got back in the win column Friday evening, as it defeated the Flagler Saints 13-8 at Dolny Stadium to begin the series.
Lander moves to 19-17 overall and 9-7 in the PBC while Flagler drops to 16-20 and 9-7 in the PBC.
Ethan Wilder and Tyler Prell both had three hits to lead the Bearcats against Flagler. Prell led the way with six RBI while Wilder was close behind with four.
After a scoreless first inning for both sides, the Bearcats exploded for three runs in the bottom of the second. After Connor Droze walked and moved to second on a ground out to begin the inning, Prell doubled to center field to score the game's first run. A single from Caleb Singleton later in the inning through the right side scored both Gary Garrett and Prell to put Lander up 3-0.
The third inning would see Lander plate four runs due in part to a home run from Prell. Droze started the inning with a double to left field and stole for third to get closer to home. Droze eventually came home to score on an RBI single to third from Wilder while Prell unloaded on a pitch the next at-bat to bring three more runs across and put Lander up 7-0.
Vincent DeRubeis sent a pitch out of Dolny Stadium in the fourth inning to push Lander in front 8-0.
The sixth inning would see nine runs scored between Lander and Flagler. The Saints would bring home seven runs on seven hits, with all seven hits being singles. Lander would use a single in the bottom of the inning, as Wilder brought home DeRubeis to make it a 9-7 contest. Prell would hit into a fielder's choice that saw him safe at first that also brought home Streater to put Lander in front 10-7.
Flagler's offense brought home a run in the top of the seventh on a single to shallow right field to cut into the Bearcat's lead and make it a 10-8 contest.
The Bearcats stayed hot in the bottom of the seventh. Droze would send a two-out double to left field before being pinch-run by Logan Melton. After Streater walked to occupy first Wilder slapped a triple to dead center field to score two to put Lander up 12-8. Prell would hit an RBI infield single to score Wilder and give Lander a 13-8 edge.
Neither side was able to produce a run in the eighth or ninth inning.
Anson Merrick got the start and win for Lander. Merrick Went five complete innings where he allowed seven hits, five runs with three earned. Braeden Burton, Zach Pellegrino and Kurt Rogers all made relief appearances to help the Bearcats defeat the Saints.
Lander and Flagler meet tomorrow for game two of the series at Dolny Stadium.
#cLawsUp | @LanderBaseball
