PEMBROKE – UNCP registered its fourth-straight double-digit hit total behind an effective start from southpaw Justin Yow to finish off a weekend-opening doubleheader sweep of visiting Lander with a series-clinching 10-5 victory over the Bearcats in the nightcap of the twinbill Saturday evening at Sammy Cox Field.
UNCP (13-3, 3-2 PBC) got multi-hit outings from five different players including a 3-for-5 performance from newcomer Aaron Parnell. Keith Whitman walked twice and homered for the seventh time this season to key a 2-for-3 plate performance, with Kenny Mickens, Joe Mangum and Josh Haley each tallying a pair of hits as well.
Lander (12-4, 0-2) got two hits apiece from Bud Lanier, Pete Hernandez and Alan Abreu, but dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, while also suffering its eighth-straight loss to the Black and Gold.
Yow (4-0) struck out seven and allowed just one earned run over five innings of work to register his seventh-straight victory dating back to the 2008 season, while UNCP also got four effective innings from its bullpen as well. Cory Hopper (2-1) took the loss for the Bearcats after yielding eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 4-1/3 innings from the mound.
Lander cut into a 4-0 deficit with two runs in the top of the fifth inning, but the Braves answered with two of their own in the bottom of the frame before putting the game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning that extended the advantage out to 10-3. The Bearcats loaded the bases with its first three at-bats in the eighth and plated the final two runs of the contest on a costly fielding error by the hosts.
UNCP will look for the weekend sweep on Sunday when the two close out the series at Sammy Cox Field. First pitch has been set for 1 p.m. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children 18 years of age and younger. UNCP students are admitted free with a valid Braves Card.