Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
USC Upstate
Marshall Drops 3-0 Decision to USC Upstate
3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 1, 2013
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A quality start by freshman Chase Boster and shutout innings of relief from Matt Hummel and Kyle Kessler were not enough as USC Upstate topped the Thundering Herd baseball team 3-0 Friday evening at Harley Park.
Marshall lost its second straight to fall to 3-4. Upstate improved to 6-2.
Boster (0-1) was the losing pitcher despite enduring his longest outing of 6.0 innings while limiting the Spartans to six hits.
Upstate scored three runs - all earned - off the freshman from Stafford, Va. In the third, a leadoff walk followed by a sacrifice bunt set up an RBI-single from Spartan leadoff man, Jordan Stampler. In the fifth, it was a leadoff single followed by a sac bunt that set up an RBI-single from Brody Greer. Tyler Lesch provided a base hit two batters later to add to the Upstate lead.
Hummel and Kessler appeared in the seventh and eighth, respectively, and kept Marshall within striking distance, allowing just one base runner and striking out two.
Upstate starting pitcher Brandon Lee (3-0), who took the winning decision, tossed his third career complete-game shutout, going the distance with 9.0 innings, eight hits, no walks, and seven K's.
Marshall put a runner on base in all but one inning. In the third, MU was poised to strike first when, with one out, Andrew Dundon singled on a flare to center and Isaac Ballou was hit by a pitch. In the seventh, Eric Escobedo doubled to lead off but would not advance beyond second.
Dundon finished 2-for-3 and increased his season batting average to a team-leading .375. Nathan Gomez and Alfredo Brito were both 2-for-4 in the loss.
Marshall returns to action on Saturday at Wofford College. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
