Florence, S.C. (2-4-17) -- The Claflin University baseball team dropped a pair games Saturday in the Carolina Hospital System Baseball Classic in Florence at the Sparrow Stadium.
Claflin fell to North Greenville University,10-4, in the opener and Wingate University, 16-1, in the night cap.
Claflin is now 0-3 on the young season.
In the first game, the Panthers found themselves in a hole early as North Greenville jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. The score remained that way until Claflin put four runs on the scoreboard in the seventh inning.
Rashad Webster got things started for the Panthers in the inning with a one-out single. Jalen Sprull then reached on an error by North Greenville second basemen Alex Williams.
With two outs,
Xavier Bivens drove in Claflin's first run of the game off a single that scored Webster.
Silvaris Hooks, Jr. then hit a single to load the bases for the Panthers.
Darrell Langston cleared the bases for the Panthers with a three-run triple, cutting North Greenville's lead to 7-4.
That would be the closest Claflin would get. North Greenville increased its lead in their half of the seventh with three runs for a 10-4 advantage.
Claflin was led offensively by Langston with two hits and 3 RBIs. Webster had three hits for the Panthers, while
Xavier Bivens contributed two hits and an RBI.
Claflin had nine hits in the game.
Keamond Eison, 0-1, suffered the loss for the Panthers. He allowed nine hits and seven earned runs in two innings of work.
Aaron Perry had an outstanding relief appearance for the Panthers, pitching four scoreless innings with no hits.
Zack Kamerman was the winning pitcher for North Greenville.
Conner Grant and Andrew Plunkett drove in four runs each to lead North Greenville.
In the second game, Claflin could manage only two hits off five Wingate pitchers in the loss.
The Panthers were held hitless until fifth when
Lyndale Morley opened the inning with a sharp single to left field. Wingate starter and game winner, Hunter Hamilton promptly retired the next three Panthers.
Claflin only run came in eighth when Rashad Bivens deep fly ball to left field was misplayed by Wingate's Matthew Grecco, allowing Jonathan Purnell, II to score from first. Purnell reached base via a two-out walk.
Wingate scored in six of nine innings, pounding five Panther pitchers for 15 hits.
Torriun Towers was the losing pitcher for Claflin.
Claflin will make its home debut in Orangeburg Monday (Feb. 6) at Historic Mirmow Field against Lincoln Memorial University at 2 p.m.
