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High Country’s Van Ord No. 1 in historic Albany, N.Y. road race

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High Country’s Van Ord No. 1 in historic Albany, N.Y. road race

By David Rogers. ALBANY, N.Y. — Over hill and dale, Tristin Van Ord of Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance won the historic Freihofer’s Run for Women on June 3, finishing the arduous road race course in 15:54.00 and ahead of second place Jessie Cardin of Rochester Hills, Mich. by six seconds. With the win, Van Ord took home $3,000 in first place prize money.

Although Van Ord faced stiff competition from a large number of female athletes representing professional race teams looking to earn prize money, the 45th annual event celebrating women and raising money to support breast cancer research greeted almost 2,500 competitors. The youngest was 7-yearold Natalie Newton (27:01.00) of Cohoes, N.Y., while the oldest was Nancy Gerstenberger, 93 (1:22:23.00), of Albany.

According to ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea, Van Ord’s net time was only 12 seconds slower than her personal best for a 5K run on a track.

“Running this distance in a road race, especially on a course like the won in downtown Albany, is a lot more challenging than running the entire distance on a flat track oval in a stadium,” said Rea. “That Tristan was able to run this 5K just 12 seconds off her personal best on the oval says a lot about where she has progressed in her training.”

For Rea, he admits that Van Ord’s win at the Freihofer’s event is an emotional moment — for him.

“Growing up in Connecticut, my mother is responsible for getting me into competitive running,” Rea said, reflectively, about what turned out to be a career decision for him, a career that included a stellar four years running in high school and then on to compete for the University of Connecticut . “When I was a kid, she belonged to a running club in our hometown, Farmington. For over 30 years, she and several of the club members would go over to Albany to run in the Freihofer’s Bakery Run for Women race that brought attention to breast cancer research.

“When Tristin got invited to compete in this race,” Rea added, “I told her she should go because it really is an historic event that attracts some really top notch athletes and they have pretty good prize money for the professionals. You can tell by the big smile as she crossed the finish line that she is happy she made the decision to make this trip.”

Next Up for Van Ord

As it turns out, Van Ord will stay in New York and race on June 10 against even tougher competition at a longer distance, running in the Mastercard New York Mini 10K For Women in, around through Manhattan’s iconic Central Park, including a sweep by the Guggenheim Museum and finishing near the famous Tavern on the Green Restaurant.

The first edition of the New York Mini 10K was in 1972, and won by the USA’s Jacqueline Marsh Dixon in 37:01.7. Organized by the New York Road Runners, the race has been run every year since except for a one-year hiatus in 2020 because of COVID-19. The 2022 edition of the race was won by Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia in 30:43. The course record of 30:28.6 was set by Morroco’s Asmae LeghZaoui in 2002. The last American to win the race was Sara Hall in 2021 (31:33). Hall also won the 2019 race (32:27).

Officially, Van Ord’s personal record (35:35)  for 10-kilometers (on a track oval) was back in 2018, in Charleston, S.C., when she was competing for Appalachian State.

“That was so long ago,” said Rea, “and a bit outdated for where Tristin is now because while she has not competed in a 10K race since then, she has been well under that mark in just the first 10K of a full marathon. For anyone who has been to Central Park, they will know that while it is a beautiful venue, there are elevation changes and sharp turns in several places so it is a challenging course. We are looking for Tristin to run 16:15 for each half of the race, so that would put her into the finish at around 32:30.”

The New York Mini is advertised by the New York Road Runners as “the world’s first women-only road race.” According to the NYRR website, “… event founder Fred Lebow named the race after the miniskirt, which back then was in vogue.”

The first event was called the Crazylegs Mini Marathon, reflecting the sponsorship of a Johnson Wax women’s shaving gel product branded as Crazylegs. Through the years, other companies and their products have carried the title sponsor banner, including Bonne Bell cosmetics, Oakley, and Advil that we could find. Now and for the forseeable future, the event bears the Mastercard name.

https://freihofersrun.com/

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https://www.nyrr.org/races/mastercardnewyorkmini10kwomensrace

Former Clemson standout joins App State MBB staff

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Former Clemson standout joins App State MBB staff

By Bobby Neal for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — App State head men’s basketball coach Dustin Kerns has made an addition to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2023-24 season with the hiring of Tanner Smith.

“Tanner Smith is the full package,” Kerns said. “He is a great fit for App State, a great fit for our staff and a great fit for our players. Tanner has a bright mind and will help our program in many ways. Not only is he a tireless recruiter and great at player development, but most importantly, he is a great person who will develop great relationships with our players. He and his wife, Julia, will have a positive impact in the Boone community.”

Smith comes to App State after a two-year stint at Stephen F. Austin, where he also served as an assistant coach. During his first season with the Lumberjacks, they were the regular season champions in the Western Atlantic Conference.

Tanner Smith is the full package, a great fit for app state, a great fit for our staff and a great fit for our players.

In the 2022-23 season, Smith helped lead Stephen F. Austin to finish in the top 25 in the nation in turnovers forced (18.1, 3rd), bench points (28.2, 8th), 3-point percentage (38.2, 14th) and steals (8.9, 15th). He primarily worked with the guards and wings while also serving as the coordinator of defense for the Lumberjacks.

“I’m humbled and honored to be joining the staff at App State,” Smith said. “Coach Kerns and his staff have done a fantastic job in Boone over the last four years. I’m excited to be a part of such a special culture with special young men. My wife and I look forward to investing our time, energy and effort into the community, university and our players.”

A former standout player at Clemson, Smith finished his illustrious career with 986 points, 459 rebounds, 320 assists and 159 steals while helping Clemson earn three NCAA Tournament bids. He was the first player in Clemson history and the only ACC player in 2012 to average at least 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Following his career at Clemson, Smith played two seasons overseas, first with Dutch club Landstede Basketball and then with MHP Risen Ludwigsburg in Germany. He joined the coaching ranks as a director of basketball operations with the Charlotte 49ers, eventually earning a promotion to assistant coach in 2017. From there, he transitioned to Mississippi State, serving as director of operations while the Bulldogs earned their first NCAA Tournament bid in 10 seasons.

Smith then joined the staff at Kennesaw State and helped the Owls land a top-50 recruiting class in the nation in 2020 before heading to Stephen F. Austin for the following two seasons. That same recruiting class helped lead Kennesaw State to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, its first-ever ASUN regular season championship, and its first-ever ASUN tournament championship this past season.

In addition to coaching, Smith founded the non-profit organization Tanner’s Totes, which provides care packages and support for kids battling cancer. He was recognized as a Community Hero by the Atlanta Braves in 2017 for his work with Tanner’s Totes.
Smith graduated from Clemson with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2012. He and his wife were married on May 4, 2018, in Atlanta.

Recruiting, player development veteran joins Elderkin’s App State WBB staff

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Recruiting, player development veteran joins Elderkin’s App State WBB staff

By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — App State women’s basketball coach Angel Elderkin announced the hiring of Evan Turkish as the program’s assistant coach on Thursday.

“We are excited to add Evan to our coaching staff,” Elderkin said. “It was obvious in our first call that he has not only a great basketball mind but also the passion and commitment to work hard and grow on and off the court with our student athletes. His recent success with James Madison University and experience in the Sun Belt will be a tremendous asset to our program. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Meghan to our App State Family.”

“My wife and I are excited to become a part of the Boone community,” said Turkish. “It will be a privilege to be able to work with Coach Elderkin, and I believe this team has a chance to be special next season.”

Turkish joins the Mountaineers after serving as the director of recruiting and player development at James Madison for the 2022-23 campaign. Turkish helped lead the Dukes to their first Sun Belt Conference title, first NCAA bid since 2016, and worked with Kiki Jefferson to help her become the Sun Belt Player of the Year. The Dukes went 26-8 (13-5 SBC) in their first season in the league. The team also ranked within the top-15 nationally in defensive rebounds per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage defense, and rebound margin.

Prior to his time at JMU, Turkish was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Nicholls State for the 2021-22 season. While with the Colonels, Turkish mentored Chelsea Cain and Chyna Allen, who both ranked within the top-five in the Southland Conference in points per game with 15.3 (ranked second) and 14.0 (ranked fourth), respectively. In his role as recruiting coordinator, he helped sign the top-rated transfer in school history from the Mountain West Conference.

Before breaking into collegiate coaching, Turkish was an analyst at Entergy, a Fortune 500 integrated energy company in New Orleans, La. He was also the founder and owner of Sports Trainer Index, a platform to analyze collegiate athletic programs’ recruiting needs in addition to matching high school student-athletes with college coaches. Turkish was an assistant coach at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, La. and for the Boo Williams AAU team in Newport News, Va.

Turkish also played professionally for the Freedom Professional League in Phoenix, AZ in 2013.

The Harrisonburg, Va. native was a member of the College of Charleston men’s basketball program for one season under head coach Bobby Cremins, who also coached at App State during his distinguished career. Turkish earned a bachelor of arts in management in 2013 while playing baseball at Loyola of New Orleans. He earned a master of science in analytics at American University in 2018.

An adventure down memory lane: Blowing Rock cuts ribbon, celebrates ‘History Walk’

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An adventure down memory lane: Blowing Rock cuts ribbon, celebrates ‘History Walk’

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — With a nod toward change being inevitable, even accelerated with advances in technology, former Lees McRae College president and Blowing Rock historian Dr. Barry Buxton articulated what history means on June 1.

Buxton told the estimated 150 people gathered for the Blowing Rock History Walk ribbon-cutting, “Blowing Rock has been discovered and along with that comes a lot of new people to our community. These new people know very little about the history of Blowing Rock. They love this place, but they don’t know much about the men and women who over a century helped shape this place, who have helped make it an anomaly in the High Country, who have made it so special.

Dr. Barry Buxton articulated the importance of history to each of us on June 1, at the American Legion Building, following the cremonial ribbon cutting for the new Blowing Rock History Walk. Photographic image by David Rogers

“One of the things we are trying to do (with the History Walk) is to honor those individuals. History is who we are, is why we are and is the way we are. History is important to every one of us. We may not think of it that way but we are the people we are because of history,” Buxton added.

In concluding his remarks, Buxton encouraged the longtime residents who grew up here, the relative newcomers, and even the visitors to town to always have an eye on the town’s history.

History is who we are, why we are, and the way we are…

“Let’s let history shape our decision-making,” Buxton concluded. “Let’s let history help inform what we decide to do with our community. We must work with our mayor, town council and other (stakeholders) to guide this community forward so that we retain the special qualities that we all know and love.”

Photographic image by David Rogers

While Blowing Rock Historical Society President Tom O’Brien and Village Foundation president Cathy Robbins took charge of the ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the History Walk starting point just west of Main Street, along the Laurel Lane sidewalk, the program at the American Legion building hosted reception featured comments by Buxton, O’Brien, and a lengthy list of “thank-yous” and acknowledgements from Village Foundation founder John Aldridge, including the Town of Blowing Rock, architect Jim Pitts, the stonemasons he referred to as “Rock Stars.” and the many donors who each sponsored one of the monuments/

Several years ago, Aldridge recalled, when O’Brien had first become president of the Historical Society, they met and Aldridge shared his vision for the project. “I told Tom that if he and his team could put together the people, places and narratives to feature, that we would do the design work and raise the money,” said Aldridge. “Tom said, ‘Ok, let’s do it.'”

John Aldridge, founder of the Village Foundation, had the original vision for the Blowing Rock History Walk to remember and honor the people, places, and events that shaped the town and helped make it a special place to live, work and play. Photographic image by David Rogers

The Blowing Rock History Walk is a series of 21 monuments, each one with a bronzed plaque inscribed with a historical narrative about people, places and events important to Blowing Rock history. That path goes down Laurel Lane, and around Broyhill Lake, each stopping point with a monument, plaque and even a bench where visitors can sit and reflect.

tom said, ‘ok, let’s do it.’

“With the History Walk now a reality,” said Aldridge, “People are already asking us, ‘What’s next?’ Well, we are talking with the town about doing something with the Glen Burney Trail to make it safer and even more enjoyable. That is Phase I. We are thinking about a Phase II that expands on the Annie Cannon Gardens. Phase 3, if we can do it, is Legion Hill.”

O’Brien concluded the festivities with an invitation for people to join the Historical Society if they have not already done so.

Tom O’Brien, president of the Blowing Rock Hisotrical Society, was instrumental in committing the organization to the History Walk project and coordinating the various stakeholders. He emceed both the ribbon cutting and the American Legion building reception on June 1. Photographic image by David Rogers

“This party was put on by the Blowing Rock Historical Society,” said O’Brien. “We have an events committee, including Suzanne McBee and Lori Trexler, who are the co-chairs. Nobody has better events than we have. These ladies are just spectacular. Our dues for membership are very small but we use those funds to do things for our community. Like this History Walk, in which we invested quite a bit.”

Mayor Charlie Sellers reflected on Blowing history and what the new Blowing Rock History Walk means to the town on June 1, at the ribbon-cutting. Photographic image by David Rogers

Asked about the development from his organization’s perspective, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce CEO Charles Hardin said, “I think this is going to be a great asset for the town, especially because it honors and remembers many of those people who helped shape this special place, as Dr. Buxton said. It will also help both our residents and the many visitors not just something else to do, but to have a sense of connection to the town. You know, the North Carolina Governor, Roy Cooper, recently declared 2023 as the ‘Year of the Trail’ so our creation of this History Walk is very timely.”

Blowing Rock History Walk is free for all to enjoy. The best starting point is at the monument near the intersection of Main Street and Laurel Lane.

Village Foundation president and Tweetsie Railroad principal Cathy Robbins addressed the crowd estimated at 150 on June 1, gathered at the start of the Blowing Rock History Walk for its ribbon cutting ceremony. Photographic image by David Rogers

Boone Bigfoots stampede through Disco Turkeys, 14-1

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Boone Bigfoots stampede through Disco Turkeys, 14-1

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Scoring early and late, the Boone Bigfoots tallied 14 runs on just eight hits May 30, rushing by the Carolina Disco Turkeys in run-rule fashion, 14-1.

It was not the intended home opener for the Boone nine but rain canceled the scheduled Coastal Plain League home openers on May 27 and 28, so good weather for a non-league game — and an even better result — made for a happy beginning to the High Country’s summer baseball season and the estimated 150 fans braving the relatively brisk temperatures.

SEE BONUS PHOTOS: For best photography viewing on desktop or laptop monitors, please click on any image for Slide Show mode.

The weather may have been cool but not the Bigfoots’ bats or baserunning, using “small ball” to take advantage of Disco Turkeys control problems on the mound and assorted fielding errors. Holding the visitors to just one run scored in the top of the 4th inning, the Bigfoots left the bases loaded in the top of the first but made up for it in the second frame with three runs. Then they scored four runs in the bottom of the 6th inning and exploded for seven more in the bottom half of the 7th to win the day.

Game stats were not available at press time, but here are a few captured moments. All photographic images by David Rogers, High Country Sports.

Via ‘Transfer Portal’, App State bolsters key positions for 2023 and beyond

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Via ‘Transfer Portal’, App State bolsters key positions for 2023 and beyond

By Joey Jones and Bret Stelow, App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — This week’s start to summer school coincides with the arrival of several App State Football newcomers, including four FBS-level transfers who are already on campus.

Outside linebacker Thomas Davis (Miami), offensive lineman Thornton Gentry (NC State), safety EJ Jackson (Marshall) and offensive lineman Griffin Scroggs (Georgia) have officially signed to join the Mountaineers in advance of the 2023 season. Officially, to date, that increases the current total to 15 incoming transfers with college experience, including 12 with Division I experience. This list does not include all commitments for the 2023 season.

Davis recorded one sack last season as a redshirt freshman at Miami, and Gentry was also a redshirt freshman during a 2022 season in which he made one game appearance for NC State.

Jackson used three seasons of eligibility and totaled 100 tackles over 42 games at Marshall, with 14 stops coming in his last two games against the Mountaineers, while Scroggs didn’t exhaust any eligibility during his time in Athens, Ga.

This week, App State also welcomes eight high school recruits who were December signees: linebacker Jayden Bethea, tight end Max Drag, safety Zyeir Gamble, linebacker Ryan McKinnis, safety Colton Phares, cornerback DJ Porter, offensive lineman Cayden Sweatt and receiver Grant Tucker. They are part of a 15-man class of scholarship newcomers from the high school level, and the online roster also includes the additions of several walk-ons who are enrolled.

TRANSFER BIOS:

Thomas Davis
Outside Linebacker
6-2, 220
Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes/Miami)
Prior to App State: Member of Miami’s program for two seasons, as he redshirted in 2021 and appeared in one game as a redshirt freshman in 2022 … Contributed to a sack in the 2022 opener against Bethune-Cookman … Listed as a defensive end in Miami’s 4-3 scheme and projects as a “Dog” pass-rushing linebacker in App State’s 3-4 scheme, with an ability to also contribute at defensive end.

High School: A consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … Ranked the No. 27 player at position and No. 42 player in Georgia by 247sports … Rated the No. 44 outside linebacker and No. 39 player in Georgia by ESPN … Listed as the No. 52 player in Georgia by Rivals … Had 94 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over his final two prep seasons … Initially chose Miami over offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Florida State, Indiana, Mississippi State and South Carolina, among others.

Thornton Gentry
Offensive Lineman
6-4, 310
Chapin, S.C. (Chapin/NC State)
Prior to App State: Member of NC State’s program for two seasons, having redshirted in 2021 and appeared in one game (against Charleston Southern) as an offensive guard in 2022 … Early enrollee in spring of 2021 at NC State.

High School: Played offensive tackle at Chapin High School for his father, Justin … Named to the 2020 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas after helping lead his team to a 6-2 record … Four-year starter finished prep career with 115 pancake blocks … Named to the SCFCA 5-A all-state team and was the Region 5-A Lineman of the Year … Also named the Chapin Lineman of the Year and won the Eddie Muldrow Leadership Award … Served as a team captain at Chapin … As a junior, named to the SCFCA 5-A all-state team and the Region 5-A all-region team … Named to the National Honors Society in both 2019 and 2020 … Ranked as the No. 9 center nationally and the No. 8 player in the state of South Carolina (highest among offensive linemen) by 247Sports.com.

EJ Jackson
Safety
6-2, 190
Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central/Marshall)
Prior to App State: Appeared in 42 games and totaled 100 tackles over four seasons (including a COVID one that didn’t count against his eligibility) at Marshall from 2019-22 … Started the final five games of the 2022 regular season, including the final four at a safety spot (with the first one at a stud/nickel position) … In 12 games as a safety in 2022, broke up two passes and made 33 tackles … Had 56 stops and 1.5 TFLs over 13 games in 2021, when he started games at free safety (twice) and free safety (twice) … Recovered and returned blocked PAT 85 yards for two Marshall points at James Madison in 2022 …. Had a season-high six stops against App State in 2022 after recording eight against the Mountaineers in 2021 … Career high of 12 stops in the 2021 opener against Navy and nine more against UAB later that season.

High School: Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Played free safety and slot back for Glades Central … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds … Played outside linebacker as a sophomore at Glades Central, racking up 74 tackles with 10.5 TFLs and nine sacks … Moved to the secondary as a junior and picked off six passes.

Griffin Scroggs
Offensive Lineman
6-3, 315
Grayson, Ga. (Grayson/Georgia)
Prior to App State: Redshirted as a true freshman member of Georgia’s national championship team during the 2022 season … Early enrollee sat out that season’s spring practice to recover from an injury … Played center during Georgia’s 2023 spring game.

High School: Invited to the 2022 All-American Bowl … Three-star prospect from 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Coached by Adam Carter at Grayson High … No. 5 center prospect from ESPN, No. 42 offensive guard prospect from Rivals, No. 62 interior lineman prospect from 247Sports and No. 69 offensive tackle prospect from PrepStar Magazine … Helped lead Grayson to a 10-4 record and GHSA Class 7A semifinals … Named to 247Sports.com All-America Team … Helped lead Rams to 2020 GHSA Class 7A state championship … Named to 2020 MaxPreps All-State Second Team … Played first two seasons at Buford High.

No. 2 Southern Miss doubles up on Mountaineers, 11-1; Louisiana upsets top-seeded Coastal Carolina

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No. 2 Southern Miss doubles up on Mountaineers, 11-1; Louisiana upsets top-seeded Coastal Carolina

By David Rogers. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Southern Mississippi rapped out 15 hits in the Sun Belt Conference semifinal elimination game on May 27, six of them doubles, as the Golden Eagles advanced into the May 28 conference tournament championship game with a dominating, 11-1, run-rule win over Appalachian State.

After being dumped into the loser’s bracket earlier in the tournament by top-seeded Coastal Carolina, No. 4 Louisiana rallied back in the double elimination tournament to reach the semifnals where they exacted a measure of revenge by winning both May 27 games against the previously unbeaten Chanticleers, 7-3 and 4-1.

Photo courtesy of Sun Belt Conference.

The Ragin’ Cajuns’ upset wins setup a May 28 matchup vs. No. 2 seeded Southern Miss at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time in the Guardian Credit Union Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship at Riverwalk Stadium.

Like Louisiana, the Mountaineers lost a first round game (to Troy) and had to battle back with wins over both Troy and James Madison to gain the semifinals vs. Southern Miss. They did it with hot offensive production that included a 10-run sixth inning on May 26 to topple Troy, 14-10.

Led by C J Boyd’s 19-game hitting streak and Xavier Moronta’s 20-game hitting streak, the Mountaineers produced 31 runs on 45 hits in the first three games of the SBC tournament. A masterful pitching performance by four Mountaineer pitchers in a 4-2 morning win over Southern Miss in the May 27, semifinal morning game, not only required the second, afternoon semifinal game to decide who would advance into the championship final on Sunday, but represented the 30th win of the season for the Mountaineers. That matched the last 30-win season recorded by the Mountaineers in 2013. The program record is 41 wins in 2012.

Among the most important of the record-breaking statistics for App State baseball in 2023 was record home attendance: more than 13,000 this spring, including a single-game home attendance record of 1,376 when Wake Forest came to town on April 11.

Another Upset! Mountaineers stay alive in SBC semifinals defeating No. 2 seed Southern Miss, 4-2

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Another Upset! Mountaineers stay alive in SBC semifinals defeating No. 2 seed Southern Miss, 4-2

By David Rogers. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Masterful pitching and timely hitting ruled the day at Riverwalk Stadium on the morning of May 27, with No. 6 seeded Appalachian State upsetting the previously unbeaten (in the Sun Belt tournament) No. 2 seed, Southern Miss, 4-2.

Come tournament time and a team’s extended survival in the double elimination format, pitching management becomes all important. Mountaineer head coach Kermit Smith and pitching coach Justin Aspegren seemed to know exactly how far their stable of hurlers could each go without overworking them and getting into trouble against the Golden Eagles’ hot bats.

Jackson Steensma (33) celebrates the App State win over Southern Miss on May 27 at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala. Photo by A J Henderson, Sun Belt Conference, courtesy of App State Sports

Combined, four Mountaineer pitchers gave up just two runs on five hits and struck out seven. The Golden Eagles managed just two extra base hits, a double and a home run in the top of the 3rd inning to account for their only runs scored in the game. Grey LaSpaluto (2-2), the first to relieve starter Seth Whitley, was credited with the win. The big (6-4, 256 lbs.) freshman righthander, Jackson Steensma picked up his seventh save of the year.

Meanwhile, C.J. Boyd extended his hitting streak to 18 games, rapping out three hits in five at-bats, including a double and a pair of singles. Xavier Moronta went 2-4, including a double into the right field corner in the third inning, after which he scored a run on a single to right by Hayden Cross. Moronta also picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Andrew Terrell tagging up from third base in the 4th inning.

App State added another couple of runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Boyd rapped a bases loaded single through middle to center, scoring Alex Reed, who had led off the inning with a single. Still with the bases loaded, Luke Drumheller lofted another sacrifice fly to center, allowing Hunter Wilder to tag up and score from third.

“We’re going to have a dogfight this afternoon,” said App State head coach Kermit Smith in his post-game press conference about the semifinals elimination game vs. Southern Miss later in the day. “Southern Miss has a great baseball program. I have a ton of respect for those guys, how they play, and their physicality. I am tremendously proud of our guys today, too (by forcing the elimination game with the morning’s win).”

Before the game, Appalachian State sported a No. 89 RPI ranking in NCAA Division I baseball, out of 305 ranked programs, according to the NCAA. The Sun Belt’s Coastal Carolina was at No. 12, Southern Miss No. 21, and Troy No. 39.

With the win, Appalachian State and Southern Miss will square off again on Saturday afternoon (May 27) to determine which team advances to the championship final. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The winner will face the survivor of the No. 4 Louisiana vs. No. 1 Coastal Carolina matchup in the other half of the semifinals.

KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

  • APP – Xavier Moronta: 2-3, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 2B, SacFly
  • APP – C J Boyd: 3-5, 1 RBI, 2B
  • APP – Hayden Cross: 2-4, 1 RBI
  • APP – Luke Drumheller: 0-3, SacFly
  • APP – Skylar Brooks: 1.2 innings pitched, 3 strikeouts, no runs on 1 hit
  • APP – Jackson Steensma: 1 inning, 1 strikeout in 3 batters faced to get the save
  • TROY – Christopher Sargent: 3-4, 2B
  • TROY – Dustin Dickerson: 1-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, HR

Massive 6th inning rally lifts Mountaineers past Trojans, 14-10

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Massive 6th inning rally lifts Mountaineers past Trojans, 14-10

By David Rogers. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Down 7-0 against No. 3 seeded Troy in the May 26 “elimination game” for the Sun Belt Conference championship baseball tournament, Appalachian State was neither done nor done in. In fact, the No. 6 seeded Mountaineers were just getting started en route to an upset win over the Trojans, 14-10.

There is an old Three Dog Night song suggesting that “one is the loneliest number.” That may very well be true, but put a zero behind it — such as the 10 runs App State scored in the 6th inning — and “one” becomes a beautiful number indeed, a “10” even, if you will.

 

Hunter Wilder slides across home plate on May 26 during App State’s come-from-behind win over Troy to advance in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala. Photo by A J Henderson, Sun Belt Conference, courtesy of App State Sports

 

The Mountaineers’ offensive half of the 4th inning was the ignition point. Three singles by Hayden Cross, Austin St. Laurent, and Alex Reed loaded the bases for Andrew Terrell, who worked the pitch count to 3-2 before earning an RBI walk, scoring Cross and keeping the bases loaded with just one out. We will hear more about C J Boyd’s offensive exploits later, but on this particular at-bat he singled straight to center field, allowing both Reed and St. Laurent to cross the plate, ratcheting down the deficit to 7-3.

After Mountaineer reliever Eli Ellington blanked the Trojans in the fifth frame and combined with Zach Lewis to shut out the Alabamans in the 6th inning, App State reached a pivot point. They batted around in the bottom of the 6th, scoring a whopping 10 runs that would eventually make Lewis the winning pitcher of record — even though he only face two batters, getting the final two outs of the top half of the 6th inning.

Andrew Terrell (3) slides into second base with a successful steal on May 26, vs. Troy, in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala. Photo by A J Henderson, Sun Belt Conference, courtesy of App State Sports

App State’s offensive eruption included Hunter Wilder scoring on a wild pitch, Terrell being forced home from third on a bases loaded walk, a 2-RBI triple off the bat of Alex Reed, a 2-RBI single by Terrell (his second single of the inning), and a 2-RBI home run by Boyd. For an encored, Boyd hammered a second home run in the 8th inning, a solo shot over the left field fence.

In the press conference that followed, Mountaineer head coach pointed out that playing Troy five times just since the first one on May 18 meant that the two teams were pretty familiar with each other and all of the contests were pretty close, with all but one being high scoring affairs.

“We have two different styles of play but when those two styles match up we seem to have very dynamic baseball games,” said Smith. “I am very proud of our guys’ resiliency.”

With the loss, Troy is eliminated from the tournament after also losing to Southern Miss on May 25, while App State advances to the semifinal round where they will face the No. 2-seeded Golden Eagles of Southern Miss at 10 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at Riverwalk Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since Southern Miss and Coastal Carolina have yet to lose in the double elimination tournament, if either of them should lose in the the morning game, they will play a second, elimination game on Saturday afternoon. The top-seeded Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina will take on the No. 4 seed, Louisiana, in the second semifinal matchup, currently scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

  • APP – C J Boyd: 3-6, 2 runs scored, 5 RBIs, HR (2)
  • APP – Hayden Cross: 1-3, 2 runs scored, 2 walks
  • APP – Austin St. Laurent: 2-5, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs
  • APP – Alex Reed: 3-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 3B, one walk, SB
  • APP – Andrew Terrell: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, SB
  • TROY – Kole Myers: 3-5, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2B
  • TROY – Ethan Kavanaugh: 2-5, 3 runs scored, 1 walk
  • TROY – Tremayne Cobb, Jr.: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, 2B
  • TROY – Donovan Whibbs: 1-3, 2 RBIs, 2 walks

WINNING PITCHER: Zach Lewis (3-0)

LOSING PITCHER: Brady Fuller (3-4)

Mountaineers survive, 8-7

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Mountaineers survive, 8-7

By David Rogers. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Four Mountaineers enjoyed a multi-hit game on May 25, in an 8-7 App State win over No. 7 seeded James Madison in an elimination game of the Sun Belt Conference baseball tournament.

Sunny, 72-degree weather greeted the Dukes and Mountaineers at Riverwalk Stadium. App State was designated as the home team, with Dante Chirico taking the mound as the starting pitcher. The junior righthander blanked the Dukes in the first three innings before giving up three runs on three hits in the 4th inning, including a 2-run home run to the Dukes catcher, Jason Schiavone.

Chirico went a total of 5.1 innings in the start, throwing a total of 78 pitches, giving up the three runs on four hits, walking four and striking out three over that span.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineer offense got things going in the 3rd inning, capitalizing on doubles by C J Boyd and Luke Drumheller, followed by a run-scoring single off the bat of Hayden Cross to take an early, 2-0 lead. Although the Dukes countered with their three runs in the top of the 4th, App State came right back with another pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to jump back out in the lead. Austin St. Laurent rapped the Mountaineers’ third double of the day and Hunter Wilder rapped a single up the middle to bring him home, Wilder taking second on the late throw to the plate.

Andrew Terrell followed with a ground out to the shortstop, but Wilder advanced to third on the play. Then, in a daring move with two outs, Boyd showed off his versatility with a push bunt to the awkward gap between the pitcher’s mound and first base. Wilder raced home and the run counted when Boyd beat out the play at first base that otherwise would have been the inning’s final out. As it was, App State finished the inning with a tenuous, 4-3 lead.

The Mountaineers expanded their lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, manufacturing a run with a single by Drumheller and a walk to Cross before St. Laurent sliced a single through the left side, Drumheller scoring.

JMU knotted the score at 5-5 with a pair of runs in the top of the 7th inning, but the Mountaineers took command with three runs in the bottom of the 8th when Andrew Terrell opened the frame with a single and stole second, scoring on another Drumheller double. That nudged App State ahead, 6-5, but Cross launched a shot over the right field fence for some insurance runs, the Mountaineers leading 8-5 going into the ninth inning.

And those extra insurance runs proved valuable, because the Dukes were able to score two in the top half of the ninth but it was not enough when little used App State relief pitcher Jeriah Henry retired the side on two fly-outs to end JMU’s scoring threat.

With the win, App State advances to another elimination game, facing the loser of Thursday’s evening matchup between No. 3 Troy and No. 2 Southern Mississippi.

KEY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS

  • APP – C J Boyd: 3-5, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 2b
  • APP – Luke Drumheller: 4-5, 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2B(2)
  • APP – Hayden Cross: 2-3, 1 run scored, 3 RBIs, HR, 2 walks
  • APP – Austin St. Laurent: 3-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 2B
  • JMU – Mason Dunaway: 2-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, HR, 1 walk
  • JMU – Mike Mancini: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases
  • JMU – Jason Schiavone: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, HR

WINNING PITCHER: Jeriah Henry (1-0)

LOSING PITCHER:  Hunter Entsminger (0-3)

EXTRA GAME NOTES

  • The relief appearance marked Jeriah Henry’s first career win on the mound.
  • Dante Chirico made just his third start on the mound for the 2023 season.
  • App State rapped out 15 hits for the second consecutive game.
  • Xavier Moronta’s first inning single extended his hitting streak to 18 straight games.
  • Luke Drumheller’s 4-hit day came in his 225th career game for the Mountaineers, tying Hector Crespo’s program record.
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