Charlotte wins season opener over Saint Peter’s 4-1

Charlotte 49ers baseball proved victorious in their season opener with a 4-1 win over the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at Hayes Stadium Friday afternoon.

Saint Peter’s outfielder Preston Aldridge led off the game for the Peacocks with a single into left, the only hit allowed by Smith, and later scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of designated hitter Chris Grimes.

Andrew Smith allowed only one hit and one run in 6.2 innings in Charlotte 4-1 victory over Saint Peter's Friday afternoon (Photo by Chris Crews)

The third inning belongned to Charlotte left fielder J.J. Elseser. Elseser made a sliding catch towards the left field line in the top of the frame and later tied the game up at one in the bottom with a single to center field scoring Justin Roland from second base.

Smith retired the Peacocks in order in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings with a little help from catcher Ross Steedley’s arm behind the plate with a strike-him-out throw-him-out double play to end the sixth.

Steedley singled in the bottom half to set up Shane Brown for an RBI double to left field to give the Niners a 2-1 advantage after six.

Smith walked two consecutive batters in the top of the seventh after recording the two outs and gave way to junior pitcher Wes Hatley to finish the frame with no damage done.

Smith left the game allowing only one run on one hit and added five strikeouts.

Shane Basen led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield to third base but was caught trying to steal second base a few pitches later.

The Niners eventually loaded the bases in the inning but stranded all three base runners on a line drive to right field by Steedley.

Hatley kept the Peacocks at bay in the eighth allowing the Niners to rally in the bottom of the frame.

Roland led off with a bunt single and then Shane Brown reached safely on an error by Saint Peter’s second baseman Mike Sciutella putting men on first and second.

Elseser came to the plate and grounded into a double play to the first base which seemed to be the rally killer despite Roland advancing to third. Basen knocked in Roland with a single up the middle to give Charlotte a 3-1 lead.

From first, Basen stolel second base and advanced to third on the same wild pitch. Corbin Shive  then plated Basen with a single to right field pushing the lead to 4-1 after eight innings of play.

Junior John Hamilton came to the mound to close the game for the Niners in the top of the ninth. The Peacocks put a scare into the Niners after they put runners on first and second with two outs. Hamilton would shut the door on the Peacocks by striking out Matt Mancini to give the Niners a 4-1 victory in their season opener.

Charlotte ended the game with 12 hits with three each from Basen and Elseser.

Smith was credited with his first win of the season and Hamilton got the save for the Niners.

The Charlotte pitching staff held the Peacocks to only three hits.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the performance,” head coach Loren Hibbs said. “The first one is usually the toughest one to get.”

Charlotte takes on Saint Peter’s in a double header starting at noon tomorrow back at The Hayes.