Wesleyan baseball completes sweep of Ferrum, 11-6

Rocky Mount, NC - The Battling Bishop baseball squad of North Carolina Wesleyan completed a two-game sweep of Ferrum College on Saturday afternoon, downing the Panthers by an 11-6 score at Bauer Field. Wesleyan managed at least two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth innings, while starter Ben Moore did the rest on the mound. With the win, Moore (pictured) moved to 6-1 on the season, 4-0 in USA South play.

A pitcher’s dual through the first three innings, the two teams entered the fourth tied 0-0. Ferrum’s Jon Wilson, in fact, took a no-hitter into the frame, but Chris Pecora led off with a double to get the Bishops’ offense going. Pecora later scored the game’s first run on an RBI-groundout by Justin Batts. Ted Williams also walked and scored in the inning to give Wesleyan a 2-0 lead.

The Panthers (5-11, 2-6) got one back in their next at-bat when Travis Crump singled and scored on an Eric Harrell single to right field. The run was unearned as a Bishop fielding error extended the inning. Up 2-1, the Bishops tacked on two more in the fifth on a two-run single by Batts, while Matt Smith and Travis Beausoleil each recorded an RBI in the sixth.

Ferrum put up a three-spot in the eighth, highlighted by a solo shot by catcher Nick Baker. The Panthers, however, would get no closer than 6-4 as Wesleyan plated five in their half of the inning. Smith started the scoring with a two-run homer to left center, his second of the season.

Moore scattered eight hits and allowed four runs (three earned) in eight complete, while freshman Andrew Webb came on to toss a two-run ninth. Wilson took the loss for the Panthers after giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits in 4.1 innings of work.

The Bishops (18-7-1, 5-3) travel to Hampden-Sydney College on Monday for a 3:30 p.m. non-conference match-up. HSC defeated Wesleyan 3-0 earlier in the season.