Pioneers Rally, Baughman’s Squeeze Bunt Seals 7–6 Win Over UPIKE

PIKEVILLE, Kentucky - With runners on first and third and one out, sophomore Thatcher Baughman successfully laid down a squeeze bunt for an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to propel the Spartanburg Methodist College baseball team to a 7–6 win over UPIKE on Saturday.

SMC, which improves to 9–11 on the season, was led by a four-hit performance from Matt Smith and three hits from Elijah Franz. Five different Pioneers recorded an RBI in the victory. Nicky White pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit while striking out one, to earn the win.

UPIKE, which falls to 11–5, was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Garren Gledhill and Riley Paulino. Mason Melton drove in two runs to lead the Bears.

The host Bears built a 5–1 lead through the first three innings, but the SMC offense began to rally with a run in the fourth. The Pioneers then took their first lead of the day with a four-run fifth inning to go ahead 6–5. In the inning, SMC scored its four runs on four hits and capitalized on three UPIKE errors.

The Bears tied the game at 6–6 in the sixth inning with a pair of two-out hits.

The game remained tied until the ninth inning when Smith led off with his fourth hit of the day. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dario Astudillo. Blake Exizian then reached to put runners on the corners for Baughman, who was pinch-hitting for Tanner Martin.

Baughman took the first pitch from reliever Karter Andersen and placed a bunt down the third-base line. Andersen attempted to make a play on Smith coming home from third, but Smith slid in safely to give the Pioneers the go-ahead run.

Next, SMC will take to the road for a nonconference doubleheader Tuesday at 2 p.m. against Carolina University.