Orangeburg, S.C. – The Claflin University baseball team produced their largest offensive output of the season, routing Bluefield State College 21-6 in a non-conference contest Sunday at Mirmow Field.
The 21 runs and 25 hits in the game surpassed a previous season-high of 13 runs and 19 hits in a loss to Virginia State University two weeks ago at home.
The win also snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Panthers, now 2-12 heading into a mid-week game at Augusta University on Wednesday (Feb 28).
Claflin will return to the confines of Mirmow Field this weekend for a three-game series with The College of Saint Rose. A double-header is scheduled for Saturday (Mar. 3), starting at 1 p.m. followed by the third game on Sunday (Mar. 4) at 2 p.m.
Bluefield State, who took the series at 2-1, fell to 3-5 on the season.
The Panthers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Johnathan Parnell II hit a solo home run over the right field wall followed by a triple by
Darrell Langston followed with a triple who scored on a one-out sacrifice fly from
Eric McElveen.
Bluefield State tied the contest at 2-2 in the top of the third, only to see Claflin score 10 runs over the next three innings to take a commanding 12-5 lead after five innings of play.
The Panthers broke the contest open in the seventh inning with eight runs to lead 20-6. Claflin tacked on a run in the eight for the final score.
Parnell II led the Panthers at the plate going 3-for-4 that included three runs scored and two RBIs. Langston was near-perfect at the plate at 5-for-6 with three runs scored and three RBIs, while
Clyde Parker was 4-for-6 and three RBIs.
Other top hitters for Claflin included Silvaris "Andre" Hooks 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs;
Grayland Fowler and
Craig Hopkins with two hits and three RBIs each; and
Michael Kendrick and McElveen with two hits and two RBIs apiece.
Bluefield State was led by William O'Hara with a home run and three RBIs.
Cleveland Westbrook, 2-0, picked up the win for Claflin. He allowed just six hits, four earned runs and struck out nine batters over six innings of work.
Alfie Carter,
Travis Martinez and
Elijah McKinnis combined for three scoreless innings for the Panthers.
Brandon Wortkoetter took the loss for Bluefield State.