Citadel takes

two from ASU
From staff reports

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The beginning of the Southern Conference season has been difficult for Appalachian State. The bad news is that things are going to get tougher before they get any easier.

Following an early deficit, Appalachian State pulled within a pair of runs in the eighth inning but were unable to complete a comeback in a 9-6 loss to The Citadel the final game of a three-game series Sunday at Riley Park.

Appalachian State lost 6-5 Friday, but beat the Bulldogs 14-6 Saturday. The Mountaineers (14-13, 1-5 SoCon) face College of Charleston, Georgia Southern and Western Carolina in their next three conference series matchups after getting swept by UNC Greensboro and losing two out of three to The Citadel so far this year.

The Mountaineers’ offense showed up against The Citadel. Appalachian collected double-figure hits for the fifth time in six games with 12.

But the team’s pitching staff couldn’t keep the Bulldogs off the board, as the home team posted 11 hits, including four extra-base hits, and seven walks in the game.

The Citadel (16-10, 5-4) got on the board early with a run on a hit in the first inning, but the Mountaineers responded in the second inning with a run on three hits. Wes Hobson doubled off the center field wall before he was driven in by Jerod Faggart to tie the game at 1-1. Faggart finished the game with one RBI and a run scored.

The Citadel responded with four runs in the third inning, which put the Mountaineers in a 5-1 hole. Three more runs in the sixth gave the Bulldogs an 8-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Faggart drew a lead-off walk before David Towarnicky singled to right field and Andrew Franco stepped in to rip a three-run homer to right field, his second of the season. Towarnicky was 2-for-4 on the day.

ASU cut into the lead a bit more in the frame as Jason Rook singled and moved to third on a David Towarnicky double before scoring on a wild pitch to pull the team within 8-5.

The bullpen held The Citadel scoreless in the seventh inning to allow Appalachian to pull within 8-7, as Wes Hobson led off the inning with his second hit of the day and came around to score on the second Bulldog error in the game. Hobson collected a pair of hits in the game and crossed the plate twice.

Rook made the start and pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Mountaineers. He allowed five runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out six batters, including five in a row. Rook took the loss and moved to 0-4 for the season.

At the plate, Rook collected a team-high three hits and scored a run to help his cause.

Aubrey Edens entered in relief and shut down the Bulldogs for 2 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. The right-hander struck out two and allowed one run in the appearance.

Garrett Sherrill and Nick Terry closed out the game on the mound, as the two combined for 2 2/3 innings, and three runs on five hits.

The Mountaineers return home to host UNC Asheville on Tuesday before taking to the road on Wednesday at No. 3 North Carolina.