Greensboro Powers Past Shenandoah, 10-4, To Open USA South Tournament Play

BURLINGTON, NC - Greensboro College used two home runs and 13 hits to run past Shenandoah 10-4 in the first game of the USA South Baseball Tournament Thursday afternoon at the Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Scott Van Dusseldorp gave the Hornets an early 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second.

The Pride's Jess Maloney put his squad on top for good with a two-run blast to left-centerfield in the top of the third.

Shenandoah avoided another possible run-scoring inning in the fourth. With runners on the corners, James Hone hit a ground ball to the first baseman who threw home. The Hornets were able to nail Jeff Guerrie in a run for the second out of the inning and in the process, Kyle Gregory and Hone were able to advance to third and second, respectively. Taylor DuFrene induced an inning ending fly-ball to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Greensboro struck for two more runs to go ahead 4-1. Kyle Bolick singles and stole second and advanced to third on passed ball. After Maloney walked, Dan Poindexter grounded out scoring Bolick. Guerrie's single down the leftfield line plated Maloney for the second run of the inning.

In the sixth, GC opened the game up, scoring three more runs. Gregory scored on a passed pall and Bolick's bunt single plated Tyler Wolfe. Maloney's single to right-centerfield scored Bolick to put the Pride up 7-1.

Shenandoah got one back in the bottom of the sixth as David Jenkins led off with a double, advanced to third on a fly-out and scored on a Greensboro error.

Preston Tarleton led the bottom of the seventh off for the Hornets with a double and advanced to third on Daniel Ziccardy's bunt single down the third base line. Scott Lambert's gound out to second scored Tarleton and David Jenkins followed with an RBI double that plated Ziccardy to cut the lead to 7-4.

Pat Burgess got all three runs back with one swing as he launched a three-run home run to right-center in the top of the eighth to give GC a 10-4 lead.

Bolick led the way for Greensboro as he finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a run driven in. Maloney finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Guerrie and Gregory each finished 2-for-4.

Jenkins was 3-for-5 for the Hornets and Tarleton was 2-for-3 and Ziccardy was 2-for-4.

Chatham Bray went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits to improve to 8-4 on the year. The win also sets a new school record for the most wins in a career (22).

Taylor DuFrene (3-3) suffered the loss as he lasted four innings, gave up two runs on four hits.

Greensboro (20-15) returns to action tonight as they will play Methodist at 9 pm. Shenandoah (20-11) will play the loser of the Averett/NC Wesleyan game tomorrow at 12 pm at Graham Middle School.

Box Score

GC's Jess Maloney (19) celebrates with his teammates after his 2-run home run in the third put his team ahead 2-1.

Shenandoah's Scott Van Dusseldorp rounds third after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the second.