Ferrum Release 3-13-04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Tharp, Assistant SID
(540) 365-4306

March 13, 2004

Panthers Rally for Two Wins Over Chowan
Ferrum Improves to 7-1 in USA South Baseball

Ferrum, Va. -- The Ferrum College Baseball team put together rallies in the late innings of both games to pick up two victories in today's USA South double-header against visiting Chowan.

In the afternoon's seven inning opener, neither team could generate much offense as Chowan pitcher Nick Anders and Ferrum freshman pitcher Curtis Taylor (Glen Allen, Va./Hermitage) controlled the game. The Panthers broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning when freshman second-baseman Matt Gammon (Providence, N.C./Bartlett-Yancey) reached base on a one-out single. After junior shortstop Quincy Davenport (Bedford, Va./Liberty) reached on a fielder's choice that forced Gammon out at second base, senior center-fielder Ricky Peace (Hopewell, Va./Hopewell) singled to put runners on first and second with two outs. Sophomore third-baseman Donnie Sprouse (Madison Hts., Va./Amherst) (pictured above) hit a double to left-center field scoring Davenport and giving Ferrum the victory. Sprouse was 2-4 in the contest while Taylor allowed just four hits in seven innings for the shutout win.

Chowan struck early in game two scoring twice in the first inning. The Panthers were held without a hit until the sixth inning when junior second-baseman Tim Clay (Coeburn, Va./Coeburn) singled. After Clay moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and was replaced by Gammon, Sprouse singled scoring Gammon. Senior designated-hitter Thomas Meeks (Rocky Mount, Va./Franklin County) followed with a 2-run home run over the left-center field wall to give Ferrum a 3-2 lead. The Panthers added a run in the eighth inning when Peace hit a sacrifice fly that scored Gammon.

Junior Todd Meadows (South Boston, Va./Halifax County) allowed six hits and two runs while striking out eight in six innings of work to pick up his first win of the year. Sophomore Jesse Bowles (Boones Mill, Va./Franklin County) pitched three scoreless innings in relief to pick up the save.

Chowan (10-9, 2-6) and Ferrum (14-3, 7-1) will conclude their USA South series on Sunday, March 14th, at 2:00 p.m. at Ferrum College. For more information, contact the Ferrum College Sports Information Office at (540) 365-4306.


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