Seven-Run Sixth Propels Lander to Third Straight PBC Series Win

Box Score GREENWOOD - The Lander Baseball team got three-run home runs from Grant Sherrod (Sumner, Wash.) and Brody Winter (Anderson, S.C.) to help cap a seven-run barrage in the sixth inning to pull away from the Columbus State Cougars on Saturday afternoon at Dolny Stadium in game two of the team's series.

The Bearcats (18-7, 7-1 PBC) got six strong innings from Dominic Puccetti (Monroe, Mich.), who improved to 6-0 on the season, and a balanced offensive approach that saw seven of nine starters record at least one hit, led by Winter and Cooper Backman (Sarasota, Fla.) with three hits apiece.

Lander jumped out to a 2-0 lead, plating a run in both the first and second innings. Evan Wickeri broke the ice with an RBI groundout, and Backman doubled the lead in the second with an RBI double.

The Cougars (10-12, 2-6 PBC) took their first lead of the series with a three-spot in the top of the third to make it 3-2, but Sherrod tied the game back up with an RBI infield single, and Backman gave the Blue and Gold the lead back with an RBI single of his own to make it 4-3, Bearcats.

Then in the sixth inning, Backman led off with a double and came home on a Wickeri single to make it 5-3. Sherrod then deposited the first of two three-run home runs to left field in the inning to stretch the lead out to 8-3. Walks to Connor Droze (Roebuck, S.C.) and Garrett Chun (Jacksonville, Fla.) set the stage for Winter's three-run homer that made it 11-3.

Tyler Bowen (Dagsboro, Del.) relieved Puccetti and pitched a scoreless seventh. Richie Cortese (Laurel, Mont.) followed Bowen and had a scoreless inning of his own but ran into trouble in the ninth as, just like in game one, the Cougars staged a late rally where they plated three and cut the lead down to 11-6. Nate Winterhalter (Venice, Fla.) got the final out of the game to close out the win.

Lander and Columbus State will conclude their series on Sunday, with first pitch now scheduled for 2 p.m. at Dolny Stadium due to inclement weather.

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Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen: RHP; 6' 0"; Senior

#44 Richie Cortese: RHP; 6' 6"; Senior

#30 Connor Droze: 1B/OF; 6' 1"; Senior

#6 Dominic Puccetti: LHP; 6' 5"; Graduate Student

#9 Evan Wickeri: INF; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#11 Garrett Chun: OF; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#29 Brody Winter: OF; 6' 2"; Junior

#35 Grant Sherrod: 1B/OF; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#37 Nate Winterhalter: RHP; 5' 11"; Freshman

#39 Cooper Backman: UTL; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RHP

#44 Richie Cortese
: 6' 6"; Senior
: RHP

#30 Connor Droze
: 6' 1"; Senior
: 1B/OF

#6 Dominic Puccetti
: 6' 5"; Graduate Student
: LHP

#9 Evan Wickeri
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: INF

#11 Garrett Chun
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: OF

#29 Brody Winter
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OF

#35 Grant Sherrod
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: 1B/OF

#37 Nate Winterhalter
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RHP

#39 Cooper Backman
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: UTL