Faggart, Towarnicky Give Apps 12-Inning Win Over Elon

HICKORY, N.C. – A pair of freshmen came up big for Appalachian State University baseball on Saturday, as Jerod Faggart’s two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth inning erased an 8-6 deficit and David Towarnicky’s RBI double in the bottom of the 12th gave the Mountaineers a wild 9-8 victory over Elon at L.P. Frans Stadium.

Appalachian (11-9, 1-1 Southern Conference) led 6-1 after six innings, but Elon (11-10, 1-1 SoCon) scored seven times over the seventh, eighth and ninth stanzas to take an 8-6 advantage. Two ASU errors and a passed ball contributed to four of the seven runs being unearned.

With two runners on base but the Apps down to their final out, Faggart came off the bench and drove a 1-1 pitch over the head of Elon center fielder Ryan Addison. Tom Prosser and Chris Baker easily scored on the play to send the game to extra frames.

With the score still knotted at 8-8, ASU right fielder David Rubinstein led off the bottom of the 12th by legging out a double to shallow right center field. Following a failed sacrifice attempt and an intentional walk, Towarnicky ended the four-hour marathon when he drilled an 0-1 pitch deep into the gap in left center, bringing Rubinstein around from second with the winning run.

Garrett Sherrill allowed just one earned run in five innings of relief to up his record to 4-1 on the season. The right-handed sophomore also lowered his ERA to miniscule 2.12 over nine appearances on the campaign.

Hickory native Isaac Harrow led the Mountaineers’ 15-hit attack with a 4-for-6 effort, which included his second home run of the season in the fourth inning. Rubinstein finished 3-for-6 and with a pair of RBI.

Jordy Snyder collected a team-high three hits and Matt Hill came off the bench to drive in three of the Phoenix’s eight runs. Drew Davis extended his hitting streak to 16 games.

The two teams will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at L.P. Frans Stadium.

-ELON-

Print Friendly Version