Bulldogs drop opener to High Point in 10 innings

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10^th to give the Panthers a 6-2 victory over the Bryant University baseball team on Opening Day Friday afternoon.

Bryant built a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth but the Panthers scored single runs in the fifth and seventh to send the game to extras. Blake Sutton sent the hosts home happy with an opposite field grand slam.

Coleman Picard tossed 5.0 innings of one-run ball in his first-career start for the Black and Gold. He struck out five and walked just one. Brian Schaub had two hits in his Bryant debut, while Jackson Phinney and Derek Smith drove in the two runs.

Game Information
High Point 6, Bryant 2
Records: Bryant 0-1 | High Point 0-1
Location: Williard Stadium (High Point, N.C.)
W|L|S: Everett Vaughan (1-0) | Austin Wainer (0-1)

Key Moment

• The Panthers won the game with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10^th.             

How it Happened

• Phinney helped keep High Point off the board early as he threw out a runner in the first and another in the second inning.
• Picard retired the Panthers in order in the third and then induced an inning-ending 6-3 double play in the fourth.
• Bryant was able to scratch across single runs in the fourth and fifth. In the fourth, John Hosmer doubled to put runners on second and third and Phinney brought home Carmine Petosa with a sac fly to left.
• The Bulldogs then loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth before Derek Smith scored Brian Schaub with a sac fly to right.
• High Point was able to push across a run in the fifth on a wild pitch with two outs.    
• The Panthers pushed to take the lead in the sixth, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Chase Jeter got a ground ball to short to end the threat.
• High Point tied the game in the bottom of the seventh as Cael Chatham's drive to left center carried over the wall for a solo home run.
• The Panthers extended the eighth inning with back-to-back two-out hits off of Jeter. Austin Wainer came on and intentionally walked his first batter. He then struck out pinch-hitter Charlie Klingler swinging to strand the bases loaded.
• Petosa helped send the game to extras with a sensational diving catch at first base with two runners on in the ninth.
• In the 10^th, High Point picked up a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Sutton then lofted a high fly ball to left that cleared the wall to end the game.

Stats and Game Notes

• Four High Point pitchers combined to strikeout 13 Bryant hitters.
• Picard allowed one run on four hits over a career-high 5.0 innings. He walked one and struck out five.
• Picard was making his first-career start.
• Jeter allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out four over 2.2 innings of relief.
• Jeter was making his Bryant debut.
• Schaub posted two hits in his Bryant debut. He also scored a run.
• Gustin and Hosmer each doubled.  

Up Next
Bryant and High Point continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.