WILSON, NC – Barton College defeated top-seeded Coker College 6-2 Sunday afternoon in Fleming Stadium to capture the 2002 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Baseball Tournament championship.
The Bulldogs, seeded 4th, knocked off No. 5 seed Longwood, No. 2 seed Belmont Abbey and top-seeded Coker twice en route to a 4-0 tournament record and the championship.
The Bulldogs, under the direction of second-year head coach Todd Wilkinson (back after a five-year hiatus), finished last in the CVAC regular season in 2001 and did not make the league tournament with an 18-30 overall record. This year, they were 15-12 in the CVAC (fourth place), and finished 29-28 overall.
After Coker eliminated Anderson 6-5 in the 1 p.m. game Sunday, the Cobras (36-17 overall) were faced with having to beat Barton twice to claim the title.
Coker took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a leadoff double by Matt Hensley and a single by Rex O’Connor.
Barton claimed the lead for good in the third inning with four runs on four hits and one error. Justin Wilkes opened with a double, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error. Sam Minder doubled home a run, Rufus Wilson singled in a run and Matt Boykin brought home the final run of the rally with a sacrifice fly.
Coker added a run in the fifth on a Hensley homer. Barton added a run in the sixth on a single by Brock Godwin, a bunt single by Wilkes and an RBI single by Lawhorn. The Bulldogs’ final run came in the eighth when Lawhorn reached a fielder’s choice and scored a triple by Tournament MVP Dennis Blackmon.
Blackmon, a catcher, finished the tournament 8-19 (.421) with a double, a triple, a home run, five runs scored and 3 RBI.
He was joined on the CVAC All-Tournament Team by teammates Boykin, Scott McIver, Lawhorn and Michael Gray; Brian Ponticello, Mike Steinberg and Adam Hensley of Coker; and Ryan Gambrell and Jason Jones from Anderson.
Thomasville, N.C.> Trevor Lawhorn of Barton College has been selected as the NCAA Division II Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) men’s baseball "Player of the Week". Lawhorn who is from Wilmington, NC is a freshman who plays multiple postions including pitcher, outfield, and shortstop. Lawhorn had a sensational week to lead the Bulldogs to a 5-1 record, including a 3-game sweep of then CVAC-leading St. Andrews College, thus pulling Barton within a half-game of first place at 15-9 in the league and 24-25 overall. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight games, and Lawhorn has had a large part in that. This past week, he batted .333 with four home runs, two doubles and one triple. He hit a walk-off grand slam to win the first game vs. St Andrews, 9-5. He hit a game-tying, two-run shot in the sixth against Augusta State and came back with a key run-scoring triple in the eighth of the same game, which Barton won 8-7 in 10 innings to avenge two earlier lopsided losses to the Jaguars. Lawhorn also started and went 7.1 innings in the finale vs. St Andrews, scattering four hits, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking just one. He left with the score knotted at 3-3, so he didn’t get a decision. For the year, Trevor is hitting .328 with 47 RBI, 36 runs scored, 14 doubles, 10 homeruns and 4 triples.
Scott McIver of Barton College has been selected as the CVAC men’s baseball “Pitcher of the Week”. McIver is a junior pitcher from Raleigh, NC. McIver raised his record from 1-5 to 4-5 this week by earning three of Barton’s five pitching wins for the week. McIver, who has rebounded from an 0-5 start, sparkled this week with a 0.00 ERA in 12 innings of work. He pitched 4.1 scoreless innings of middle relief in a 10-4 win at Catawba, scattering two hits, striking out one and walking one. He started the second game of the weekend series with St Andrews and went the distance of a 3-0 win, firing a two-hit shutout with four strikeouts and no walks. He then came on in relief in the eighth inning of the series finale, going 1.2 innings to get his third win of the week. He allowed one hit and one unearned run in the 5-4 victory. The Bulldogs go to Pfeiffer University this weekend to round out the regular season, before hosting the CVAC Conference Tournament next weekend.
WILSON, NC – First baseman Sam Minder rapped a two-out, two-run single to right field in the 10th inning late Thursday afternoon to give host Barton a 8-7 win over Augusta State.
The Jaguars (26-18) had broken from a 5-5 deadlock with two runs in the top of the 10th for a 7-5 lead, but Barton bounced back.
In the 10th, Brock Godwin led off with a single. With two outs, Dennis Blackmon and Brandon Clay singled to load the bases. Rufus Wilson drew an RBI walk, then Minder ripped a two-run shot to right.
Barton, which overcame eight errors, improved to 21-25 overall and plays host to St. Andrews, the first place team in the CVAC, on Saturday and Sunday.
Augusta State posted an 11-8 advantage in hits, with Augi Rodriguez, Matt May, Sam Barth and Wayne Dean getting two hits apiece. Rodriquez homered.
For the Bulldogs, Godwin, Trevor Lawhorn and Minder had two hits each. Lawhorn homered and tripled and Justin Wilkes doubled.
Matt Boykin pitched eight strong innings for Barton, with Jimmy Dunford (1-1) pitching the final two to get the win. Mitch Douglas went the first six innings for the Jaguars, Marty Bruce went 1 1/3 and Ricky Buffkin (3-2) absorbed the loss in 2 1/3 innings of work.
4-7-02
Barton nine knocks Coker out of first
HARTSVILLE, SC – The young Barton College baseball team bumped Coker out of first place in the CVAC baseball standings by taking two of three games from the host Cobras over the weekend.
The Bulldogs, who list 14 freshmen on their roster, rebounded from a 5-2 loss in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader to win 7-3 in the nightcap. Barton also won 7-3 on Sunday.
Barton rose to fourth in the CVAC standings at 12-9 and stands 19-24 overall. Coker slipped to 12-7 in the league and 26-14 overall.
In the first game Saturday, junior left-handed ace Casey Meinecke (6-2) suffered his first CVAC loss of the season in five innings of work. Coker plated two runs each in the first and third innings for a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Jack Healy paced the Cobras at 3-for-4 with a double. Coker had an 11-8 advantage in hits. Trevor Lawhorn and Matt Boykin belted two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.
In Saturday’s second game, Barton scored three runs in the third on two errors, two walks, a hit batter and a key double by Rufus Wilson and never trailed. Wilson, who doubled twice, and Lawhorn collected two hits apiece. Catcher Dennis Blackmon tripled and first baseman Chris Scott belted his ninth homer of the season.
Both teams had eight hits. Right-hander Scott McIver (1-5) picked up his first win of the season with a complete-game showing. He scattered eight hits, struck out three and walked none.
In the final game, freshman right-hander Trevor Lawhorn (5-3) went eight strong innings for the win. He fanned four, walked none and allowed seven hits. Brock Godwin and Boykin laced two hits each for Barton. Boykin and Lawhorn tripled and Godwin doubled.
4-3-02
Bobcat bombs beat Barton
WILSON, NC – Five different Georgia College & State University players hit home runs Wednesday as the nationally 12th-ranked Bobcats beat host Barton, 10-4.
GCSU rose to 24-10 while Barton slipped to 17-23 with its second straight setback versus the Bobcats.
Gary Harris, Christian Corvos, Jake DeGennaro, Hal Jackson and Dave Walczak homered for GCSU. Jackson’s blast was a two-run shot, while the others were solo round-trippers. GCSU outhit Barton 16-9. DeGennaro (3-for-6), Jon Chappell and Brett Benson each doubled. Jackson batted 3-for-4.
Freshman third baseman Justin Wilkes and freshman designated hitter Brock Godwin paced the Bulldogs at 3-for-4 apiece. Wilkes doubled.
Jeff Hayhurst (0-2) went four innings on the mound for Barton, which used six pitchers. Bobcats starter Jay Ziersch (3-1) got the win after going six innings, with John Belflower and Michael Buck pitching in relief.
4-2-02
Georgia College stops Barton, 6-2
WILSON, NC – Visiting Georgia College & State University rapped out 16 hits Tuesday night en route to a 6-2 NCAA D-II baseball triumph over Barton in Fleming Stadium.
The Bobcats (23-10) scored two runs in the first inning on a hit batter, a double by Christian Corvos and a two-run single by Jon Chappell. The lead grew to 3-0 in the third on a double by Corvos (4-for-5) and a single by Chappell.
Barton (17-22) closed within 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a double by freshman Brock Godwin, a flyout and a sacrifice fly by Trevor Lawhorn. GCSU made it 4-1 in the top of the fifth on a singles by Gary Harris and Jason Samples and an error.
Barton closed to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth on a walk by Justin Wilkes, who stole second and scored on a single by Ben Massey.
Barton was outhit 16-4. Campbell tallied three hits and Harris added two. Massey paced Barton at 2-for-4.
Senior Will Anderson went 7 2/3 innings to raise his record to 4-1. He struck out five, walked two and scattered four hits. Freshman Matt Goyen finished up.
Barton junior Scott McIver (0-5) was tagged with the loss in eight innings of work.
The two teams play again Wednesday at the Barton field at 3 p.m.
3-23-02
BARTON, BELMONT ABBEY SPLIT DH
WILSON, NC – Barton and visiting Belmont Abbey split a Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference baseball doubleheader on a chilly Saturday afternoon.
Barton rode the 4-for-4 hitting of junior Sam Minder (including a decisive grand slam) to victory in the first game, then Abbey bounced back with a 6-0 shutout on the arm of Andrew Scott in the second tilt.
Barton stands 15-16 overall and 8-6 in the CVAC while Abbey is 18-14, 7-5 in the CVAC. The two teams play again Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game was part of Alumni Weekend for the baseball team, and Dr. James B. Hemby Jr., threw out the ceremonial first pitch while donning a throw-back uniform celebrating the 100 years Barton College has been in existence. He wore pin stripes and a hat and jersey with 100 on it. The players wore hats with 100 on them and striped socks to go with the uniforms.
In the opener, the Crusaders staked a 4-0 lead, thanks in large part to a two-run homer by Nick Bland in the fourth inning. But Barton rallied to a 4-4 tie in the fifth. The game was deadlocked at 6-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth when the Bulldogs tallied five runs on three hits and three BAC errors.
Brock Godwin, who had started the rally with a single, scored the go-ahead run when the BAC catcher threw the ball into center field, then Minder sealed the outcome with a slam to right field.
Chad Clark (4-1) was the winning pitcher in relief and Richie Brandt (0-1) took the loss in relief. Barton outhit BAC 16-10.
The second game was a different story. Scott (2-3) was in command throughout, tossing a four-hitter. He struck out six and walked none.
Abbey tallied two runs in the first off losing pitcher Brock Godwin (0-2). Josh Cobb and Rene Barreras each singled. Cobb came home on a passed ball and Barreras plated on a sacrifice fly by Chance Jarrell.
Abbey added four runs in the sixth on a walk by Brad Lane, singles by Jarrell and Jason Head and a three-run home run by Bland.
BAC had a 7-4 edge in hits in the second game, with Barreras going 2-for-4. Godwin had two hits for Barton.
3-19-02
Barton baseball falls to Francis Marion
Wilson, NC – Barton left seven runners stranded on base in the first four innings Tuesday and couldn’t recover in an 8-0 baseball loss to visiting Francis Marion.
The setback left the Bulldogs 14-15 overall heading into a weekend Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference series at home with Belmont Abbey. The Patriots rose to 13-17.
Barton managed eight hits, including two apiece by Brock Godwin and Chris Scott. Rufus Wilson and Scott doubled and Godwin tripled.
Starting pitcher Greg Johnson (1-1) took the loss in three innings of work. Four other Barton pitchers also toed the mound.
Francis Marion got a solid complete-game outing from Bubba Strickland (2-3). He walked one, fanned seven and scattered eight hits.
3-18-02
Barton nine wins 1-of-3 vs. Mount Olive
MOUNT OLIVE, NC – The Barton College baseball team won one of three games at Mount Olive over the weekend.
The Bulldogs prevailed 10-2 in the opener behind another sparkling performance from junior lefthander Casey Meinecke, dropped the second game 14-12 (after leading 7-0) and lost a 7-5 heartbreaker in the Sunday finale.
Barton stands 14-14 overall and 7-5 in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference. Mount Olive is 19-10 overall and 7-4 in the league.
Meinecke, of Panora, Iowa, tossed a complete-game three-hitter in the opener, striking out seven and walking just four. He raised his record to 5-1 with his fifth straight win. Barton outhit the Trojans 13-3, with Brock Godwin and Chris Scott launching home runs.
Scott led all hitters at 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. He also doubled twice.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings of the second game, but Mount Olive plated 14 runs in its next three at-bats, then held on. Scott (2-2) took the loss in relief as six Barton pitchers toed the mound. Mount Olive logged a 15-11 edge in hits.
Spencer Brooks paced Barton at 3-for-4 while Scott rapped another double.
In the third game, Mount Olive led 5-1 after six, but Barton tallied four runs in its next two at-bats to tie the game at 5-5. However, Chris Whittington’s two-out, two-run homer off Godwin in the bottom of the eighth proved to be the game-winner.
Rufus Wilson batted 4-for-5 to pace the Bulldogs and Trevor Lawhorn was 3-for-4 with a home run. Jeff Hayhurst (0-1), who gave up a leadoff single to start the eighth, was the losing pitcher.
3-11-02
Barton wins 2-of-3 at Anderson; now 6-3 in CVAC
ANDERSON, SC – Head baseball coach Todd Wilkinson and his band of brand-new Bulldogs just keep getting it done on the diamond.
This weekend, Barton, which has 17 new players on its roster, won 2-of-3 games from Anderson to move near the top of Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference standings at 6-3. Barton is 13-12 overall, and plays at perennial CVAC power Mount Olive Saturday (5 p.m. doubleheader) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
Junior right fielder Ben Massey homered and drove in three runs in the Saturday opener, a 5-4 victory. Chris Scott, Trevor Lawhorn, Spencer Brooks and Jimmy Dunford each rapped two hits for the Bulldogs.
On the mound, junior lefty Casey Meinecke (4-1) went 8 2/3 innings, scattered eight hits, allowed four runs (two earned), fanned four and walked just two. Chad Clark got the final out with the go-ahead run at the plate for his third save.
Anderson rallied from a 3-0 deficit to a 5-4 win in the second game Saturday. With the score knotted at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Metcalf tripled on losing pitcher Scott McIver (0-4) and Trevor Lawhorn served up a ground-ball pitch, but Tripp Metcalf scored on a fielder’s choice, beating the throw to the plate.
Anderson posted a 12-7 advantage in hits. Sophomore Adam Dymond delivered on the mound for the Trojans, going the full seven innings.
Lawhorn had an excellent pitching performance on Sunday, notching a complete-game, six-hit shutout, 3-0, for the Bulldogs. He rose to 3-2 overall by striking out nine and walking only one.
The Barton offensive featured two hits each by Rufus Wilson, Brock Godwin, Scott and Brooks. Wilson and Brooks doubled.
Rutland (2-2) took the pitching loss.
3-7-02
BC nine drops two vs. Pitt-Johnstown
WILSON, NC – The Barton College baseball team finished off a 16-game homestand on Tuesday with a pair of close losses to visiting Pitt-Johnstown of Pennsylvania.
After logging two runs in the first inning, Barton yielded one run in the third and two in the sixth on a two-run home run by Rick Baxter in suffering a 3-2 setback in the opener. The Bulldogs outhit the visitors 12-4.
Chris Scott paced Barton hitters at 3-for-4 with two doubles. Brock Godwin and Trevor Lawhorn also doubled. Lawhorn (2-2) took the pitching loss after toeing the mound for the final two innings. Brandon Hessinger (1-0) was the starter and winner for Pitt-Johnstown.
Barton led twice in the second game, but the visitors once again rallied for a 5-2 victory.
In the first inning, Rufus Wilson led off with a double and came home on an RBI groundout by Chris Scott. Barton led 2-1 after four, thanks to a home run by Dennis Blackmon, but Pitt-Johnstown plated four runs over the next three innings to take command.
Tim Buzzard went the distance on the mound for Pitt-Johnstown. He scattered four hits and struck out four. Scott McIver (0-3) was the losing pitcher in relief of starter Jeff Hayhurst.
Barton went 9-7 during this homestand.
3-5-02
Bulldogs baseball team drops three to Shepherd
WILSON, NC – Barton’s baseball team, off to its best start in the last five years, suffered a trio of setbacks to visiting Shepherd College on Monday and Tuesday.
Shepherd (4-0) won the first game 6-4, the second 5-1 and the third 6-4.
Barton led twice in the opener at 1-0 and 3-2. The score was tied at 4-4 in the top of the eighth, but Shepherd plated a run each over the next two innings to post the win. Brock Godwin and Chris Scott rapped two hits each to pace the Bulldogs. Brian Powell, Mike Spry and Jake Ellifritz drilled two hits apiece for Shepherd.
Justin Collins (1-0) got the win and Scott McIver (0-2) took the loss in eight innings of work.
In the second game, Shepherd put three runs on the board in the first and two in the fifth on starter Matt Kennedy (0-1). Barton was handcuffed by starter Brian Renner, who scattered five hits, fanned four and walked just one in going the distance. Godwin logged two of Barton’s hits.
The Bulldogs had an early 3-1 lead in the third meeting, and the game was tied at 4-4 after six innings. However, Shepherd put two runs on the board in the top of the seventh, then held on to get the series sweep.
Chad Clark (3-1) pitched the final inning and took the loss. Jimmy Dunford started for Barton and Phil Wail pitched the middle innings. Each surrendered two runs.
Jason Rhea and Mike Spry paced Shepherd at the plate with a home run and double apiece. Rhea drove in three runs and batted 3-for-3. Chris Scott hit his fourth home run for Barton.
3-3-03
Bulldogs take 2-of-3 from Limestone
WILSON, NC – Freshman second baseman Rufus Wilson batted 6-for-12 over the weekend to help power Barton to two wins in three games versus visiting Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference baseball foe Limestone.
Barton stands 11-6 overall and 4-2 in the league.
Wilson was 2-for-3 in the opener, a 2-1 win at Fleming Stadium, with a double, while freshman shortstop Brock Godwin’s two-run single in the fifth inning proved decisive. Junior left-hander Casey Meinecke was solid in 6 1/3 innings as starting pitcher and Chad Clark picked up the save. Meinecke scattered five hits, walked five and fanned three while allowing one earned run.
In the second game, a 9-5 loss, Wilson batted 2-for-4 with two doubles and starting pitcher Trevor Lawhorn hit a 3-run homer in Barton’s biggest inning, the four-run fourth. Lawhorn surrendered six runs on eight hits in 3-plus innings of work, and five other Barton pitchers toed the mound. The Bulldogs were outhit 13-5.
Wilson went 2-for-5 in the final game, a 10-8 win, while senior first baseman Chris Scott, freshman catcher Dennis Blackmon and freshman left fielder Sam Minder rapped three hits apiece. Blackmon recorded 3 RBI, while Scott and junior right fielder Ben Massey drove in two runs each.
Freshman pitcher Chad Clark (3-0) was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Greg Johnson and Godwin earned his third save.
2-23-02
Barton claims weekend series vs. Longwood
WILSON, NC – Barton and visiting Longwood played three 1-run ball games over the weekend, with Barton emerging with two victories.
The Bulldogs won 6-5 and 5-4 on Saturday, while Longwood captured a 6-5, 10-inning victory on Sunday.
Barton stands 9-5 overall and 2-1 in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference while Longwood left at 4-2 overall, 1-2 in the CVAC.
On Sunday, Longwood rallied from a 5-0 deficit after four innings to a 5-5 tie after six.
In the top of the 10th, the Lancers put together a two-out rally to secure the win. Pinch-hitter Josh Hermann and Adrian Watkins each singled and catcher Jeremy Knicely walked to load the bases against reliever Phil Wail (0-1). Freshman Brock Godwin came on to pitch and hit Brian Medley on an 0-2 count, scoring the winning run. He then struck out the final batter, but Barton couldn’t counter in its half of the inning. The Bulldogs also botched a pickoff play at third base that would have ended the inning, but couldn’t get an out off a rundown.
Watkins enjoyed an excellent day for the Lancers at 4-for-5 with 3RBI, including a double and two-run homer in the fifth. Starting pitcher Robert Gillis batted 3-for-4 and Laron Wilson had two of Longwood’s 11 hits.
Barton collected six hits, including doubles by starting pitcher Chris Scott and catcher Dennis Blackmon.
Jason Hunsecker was the winning pitcher for Longwood. He went the final two innings and allowed no runs on no hits, walking one and fanning one.
On Saturday, Barton claimed the first game 6-5 behind 3-for-4 hitting by pitcher/center fielder Trevor Lawhorn, who hit a 3-run homer in the fifth to put Barton ahead at 5-1. He went five innings, scattered seven hits and yielded four runs on the mound before Chad Clark (2-0) pitched three innings of relief to get the win. Godwin earned the save by hurling the last inning. Michael Gray added two hits for the Bulldogs.
Watkins was 3-for-5 for Longwood and Medley went 2-for-4. Evan Weinstein was the starting pitcher for the Lancers. He allowed five (four earned) on four hits and seven walks in five innings of action. Hunsecker took the loss in three relief innings when Barton broke a 5-5 tied in the bottom of the eighth on a single by Ben Massey, a fielder’s choice and a game-winning double by Godwin.
In the second game, Longwood led 1-0 when Barton put up three runs in the fourth and two in the fifth. The Lancers came back with three in the sixth, but relievers Scott McIver and Godwin closed the door.
Junior Casey Meineke (2-1) was the winning pitcher. He struck out eight, walked one, allowed four runs (three earned) and scattered four hits over five innings. Darin Knicely went the distance for Longwood. He allowed five runs on eight hits, one walk and five strikeouts.
Lawhorn had two hits for Barton. He and Massey each doubled. Wilson homered for Longwood.
In the series, Barton scored 16 runs on 22 hits and committed nine errors. Longwood finished with 15 runs on 28 hits and made nine errors.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 20, 2002
SCHLEICHER NAMED CVAC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK,
AS MEINEKE AWARDED PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Thomasville, N.C.> Mark Schleicher from Pfeiffer University (3-4 overall, 0-0 CVAC) has been selected as the NCAA Division II Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) men’s baseball "Player of the Week". Schleicher who is from Charlotte, NC is a sophomore infielder for the Falcons. In three games versus Elizabeth City State and Bryant College, Mark had a "Barry Bond's" type week as he went 12-13 with .920 average stroking 8 homeruns, 10 runs scored, 1 double, 1 triple, and 14 RBI. In game #1, against ECSU Schleicher hit for the cycle with a pair of homeruns. In game #2 he added a phenomenal 4 homeruns. To round-out the week against Bryant, Schleicher added another pair of homeruns. His only out of the weekend was a deep flyout to the warning track.
Casey Meineke of Barton College has been selected as the CVAC men’s baseball “Pitcher of the Week”. Meineke is a junior from Panora, IA. Meineke started out the week in relief work as he struck out the side in one inning in a 10-1 win over St. Augustine's, yielding but one hit. He then went on to sparkle in a six-inning starting role in a 10-3 win over Kutztown. He allowed but four hits over six shutout innings and fanned eight with no walks over Kutztown, who played in last years NCAA DII World Series. For the week Meineke pitched 7 innings with no earned runs, no walks, 11 strikeouts, 5 hits, and a 0.00 ERA. For the year Meinke goes to 1-1 as the Bulldogs improve to 6-4 overall and 0-0 CVAC.
WILSON, NC – Barton College bounced back from a near disastrous first inning Wednesday to post a 12-6 baseball victory over visiting Catawba.
The win was the fifth straight for the Bulldogs, now 7-4, while Catawba slipped to 3-4.
Catawba put two runs on the board in the first inning, but it could have been worse. Instead, Barton starting pitcher Greg Johnson picked two runners off third base, then got a fly out to end the threat.
The Bulldogs responded with four runs on three hits in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Trevor Lawhorn and a 3-run home run by Dennis Blackmon. The lead grew to 6-2 in the third on solo home runs by Chris Scott and Blackmon (3-for-5 with 4 RBI).
Catawba closed within 8-5 with three runs in the seventh on a two-run double by Blair Reynolds and an RBI groundout.
Barton came back with two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings, pushing the lead to 12-5.
Johnson (1-0) earned the win in 5.1 innings, scattering seven hits and yielding two runs. Brian Hatley (0-1) was the loser in 3.1 innings of work. He allowed six runs on seven hits.
Lawhorn finished 2-for-4 for Barton with a triple and double. Rufus Wilson, Scott, Spencer Brooks and Brandon Clay each banged out two hits for the Bulldogs, who had 14 as a team against five Catawba hurlers.
The Indians had 12 hits, paced by Israel Morrow and Reynolds with three apiece. Both Morrow and Reynolds doubled twice.
2-17-02
Barton baseball completes sweep
WILSON, N.C. – Freshman catcher Dennis Blackmon rapped four hits and drove in three runs and freshman reliever Chad Clark picked up the win with three solid innings of work Sunday as Barton College finished off a series sweep of visiting Kutztown, 15-9.
The Bulldogs outscored Kutztown 45-17 and banged out 54 hits in winning all three games. Barton is now 6-4 overall while Kutztown, which played in the Division II World Series last season, was opening its season.
Barton was in command on Sunday, running up an 8-0 lead through four innings, but the Golden Bears battled back with eight runs on five hits and four Barton errors in the top of the fifth. The Bulldogs answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth and never looked back.
Ben Massey and Spencer Brooks added two hits apiece for the Bulldogs, who outhit Kutztown 19-11. The Bears were hurt by six errors.
Freshman Trevor Lawhorn pitched 4.2 innings for Barton and Phil Wail finished off the fifth. Clark (1-0) then toed the mound for three innings and allowed but one run on four hits. Lawhorn also batted 2-for-5 and doubled twice. The Bulldogs rapped seven doubles.
Rob McCuen (0-1) was the loser in relief of starter Joe Chapman, who exited after allowing six runs on six hits in two innings.
Kutztown center fielder Joe Bosack batted 4-for-5.
2-16-02
Barton blasts Kutztown 20-5, 10-3
WILSON, NC – The Barton College baseball team rapped 35 hits Saturday afternoon in romping past visiting Kutztown University 20-5 and 10-3 in doubleheader action.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-4 overall while the Golden Bears were opening their season.
In the opener, Barton erupted for four runs on four hits in the first inning and never looked back. Freshman second baseman Rufus Wilson led the attack at 4-for-5 with three doubles, two runs batted in and scored five times while freshman shortstop Brock Godwin went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI and scored three times.
Chris Scott and Spencer Brooks launched home runs for Barton and Dave Rode and Al Fitch hit homers for Kutztown. Rode, who collected three of Kutztown’s nine hits, also doubled. Barton had 21 hits and benefited from five Golden Bears errors.
Scott (2-1) was also the winning pitcher, allowing but four hits in six innings and striking out six. Scott McIver pitched the final three innings.
Glen Woolard was the losing pitcher, yielding seven runs on eight hits over four innings.
In the second game, Barton put three runs each on the board in the first and third innings to take control. The lead grew to 10-0 before Kutztown got on the board with home runs by Paul Korochak and John Yearsley.
Barton was led by Wilson and Chad Clark at 2-for-3 and catcher Dennis Blackmon at 2-for-4. Sam Minder doubled and had 4 RBI for the Bulldogs and Casey Meineke was the winning pitcher, allowing but four hits and no runs over six innings. The losing pitcher was starter Michael Rehman, who was chased after giving up nine runs on nine hits in five innings.
Kutztown got just six hits in the nightcap.
The two teams play a final game of the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
2-13-02
Bulldogs pound St. Augustine’s in baseball
WILSON, NC – Freshman right-hander Trevor Lawhorn threw 1-hit ball over five innings and batted 3-for-5 with five runs batted in on Wednesday to lead Barton College to a 13-1 romp over visiting St. Augustine’s.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-4 overall while St. Augustine’s fell to 0-10.
Lawhorn (2-0) struck out two and walked just one in the outing. Casey Meineke, Scott McIver, Matt Kennedy and Will Tyson each pitched an inning in relief. Overall, the Falcons managed but three hits.
Lawhorn drove in two runs with a double in the first inning and hit a two-run home run in the sixth, when Barton scored four runs. Freshmen Nathan Alvey and Rufus Wilson also laced solo home runs in the inning to give the Bulldogs a 9-0 lead.
St. Augustine’s did not score until the top of the ninth.
2-06-02
UNC Pembroke tops Bulldogs
WILSON, N.C. – Visiting UNC Pembroke came out smokin’ on a cold afternoon Wednesday and never looked back in cruising to a 13-2 college baseball victory over Barton.
The Braves scored four unearned runs on two hits, three errors, a wild pitch and a passed ball in the first inning. They added two more runs in the second and four in the fourth for a 10-1 cushion, then both teams substituted freely. UNCP rose to 3-1 overall while Barton stands 1-2.
Junior rightfielder Anthony Aceves paced UNCP, batting 3-for-5 with 1 RBI while leadoff hitter Jason Carver, a senior centerfielder, went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Junior designated hitter Matt Scott batted 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.
The Braves banged out 12 hits on five Barton pitchers. Junior right-hander Scott McIver (0-1) was chased in the second inning after allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits. Junior Phil Wail pitched 3.1 innings of relief for the Bulldogs. UNCP starter Josh Benton allowed nine hits and one run in six strong innings to get the victory. John Ammons and Slayden King pitched in relief. Barton managed two hits off Ammons and none off King.
The game (the latter part of which was played in light sleet and rain) featured doubles by Carver and Drew Paul for the Braves and by Chris Scott, Michael Kopp and Brandon Clay for the Bulldogs.
Scott, Clay and junior rightfielder Ben Massey each collected two hits for the Bulldogs.
2-2-02
Barton baseball opens with DH split
FLORENCE, SC – The Barton College baseball team opened its 2002 season by splitting two games Saturday with host Francis Marion University.
The Bulldogs, featuring 18 new players, struggled in the first game and lost, 9-4. However, they rode four solid innings of pitching by starting senior right-hander Chris Scott and some hot bats to a 6-2 win in the second game.
Freshman shortstop Brock Godwin, a local product of Wilson Fike High School, got his Barton career off to sensational start, batting 7-for-7 and drawing two walks from the leadoff position during the twin bill.
Barton took a 2-0 lead in the opener, but the Patriots tallied seven runs over the middle innings to take control. A three-run double by Kenny Cooley in the fifth inning sparked FMU to victory and sophomore right-hander Erin Jones struck out five and scattered three hits over the final 4.1 innings to earn the win.
Barton plated three runs in each of the third and fourth innings of the second game. Freshman catcher Dennis Blackmon drilled a two-run double in the third to ignite the Bulldogs to their first victory of 2002.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2002
MT. OLIVE COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM
PICKED
NUMBER ONE FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
IN CVAC COACHES’ PRE-SEASON POLL
Thomasville, NC> Mt Olive College, last year’s Carolinas Virginia Athletics Conference tournament champion, tops the 2002 preseason poll for the third straight year, as voted on by conference coaches. The Trojans 2002 roster will feature 21 new game faces, with only one starter returning from last year’s 37-14(16-9 CVAC) team. “Our pitchers are definitely capable they just haven’t been tested at this level, yet. The league is the best it has been in years. The three top teams are as good as they have ever been. We are rebuilding with young kids, and they need to see the top teams, so they can know what we need to do to get to that level,” stated Head Coach Carl Lancaster.
After finishing up first in the regular season, Belmont Abbey was picked number two in the preseason poll. The Crusaders are coming off their most successful season ever, going 39-18 (17-7 CVAC), winning the CVAC regular season title, and making a trip to the South Atlantic Regional. Belmont Abbey returns All-Region players Rene Barreras, Andy Scott, and Brad Lane as well as Chad Anthony and Nick Bland who were All-Conference selections. With a strong nucleus of senior leadership the Crusaders look to compete for another CVAC title. "Being defending regular season champions means everyone will be ready to play us," Coach Smith said. "We have a lot of experience that hopefully will help us stay at the top of the conference."
Limestone College closes in with the third spot in the 2002 preseason poll for the second year in a row. With a fifth-place regular season finish from last season (27-29, 13-12 CVAC) the Saints look to be back on the top in 2002. The Saints will be led by three players recently recognized in Collegiate Baseball's 2002 Preview. Among those are returning junior shortstop Brad Correll, who was 2nd Team 2001 All-South Atlantic Region team member, senior outfielder Vince Davis, and true freshman pitcher Jimmy Turner. They will open against North Florida (ranked #1 in Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Poll) in Jacksonville on February 1st, and then continue to play top teams throughout, as seven of their opponents are in the Preseason Top 40.
Rounding out the baseball preseason poll 4-10 were: Pfeiffer, St. Andrews, Coker, Longwood, Erskine, Barton and Anderson respectively.
| 1. | Mount Olive Colleg | (5) | 76 |
| 2. | Belmont Abbey College | (3) | 69 |
| 3. | Limestone College | 53 | |
| 4. | Pfeiffer University | (2) | 48 |
| 5. | St. Andrews | 47 | |
| 6. | Coker College | 42 | |
| 7. | Longwood University | 37 | |
| 8. | Erskine College | 34 | |
| 9. | Barton College | 26 | |
| 10. | Anderson College | 18 |
The Barton College baseball team, coming off a tough season when it went 18-30 overall and finished last in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference at 6-19, will have a new look this season.
That will come in large part to the recruitment of 17 new players by head coach Todd Wilkinson, who returned to the Bulldogs’ dugout last season after a five-year hiatus. Wilkinson directed Barton to two conference titles during an eight-year stint from the late 80s to mid 90s, and he was determined to get Barton back on track this season.
“The point of emphasis in recruiting for the 2001-2002 team was to sign student-athletes with the ability to help our team compete within the CVAC and at the highest level of Division II baseball,” Wilkinson said. “We wanted to recruit and sign players from winning programs. And last, but certainly not least, we wanted to offer the opportunity to play at Barton College to student-athletes who will be successful in the classroom and represent the school well both on and off the field. I certainly feel we have a accomplished what we set out to do.”
Fike shortstop/right-handed pitcher Brock Godwin was signed in the early period by Coach Wilkinson and Matt Kennedy, a left-handed pitcher/soccer goalie was signed by coaches Gary Hall and Wilkinson earlier. Those two are joined by 15 more newcomers to the Barton baseball program.
Casey Meinecke is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher from Bayard, Iowa. The son of Steve Meinecke and Kyla Reynolds was a standout player at both Panorama High School and Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa. He went 12-1 on the mound his senior prep season, earning first-team All-State honors and played on the Iowa All-Star team. He plans to major in business.
“We have recruited Casey to solidify our pitching staff from the left side,” Wilkinson said. “He was very solid for his Junior College in Iowa and brings experience in big games to our lineup. He should contribute immediately.”
Phil Wail hails from Midlothian, Ill., and comes to Barton from South Suburban College, where he was a solid right-handed pitcher. He was an All-Conference selection his junior and senior seasons at Marian Catholic and was an All-Area pick his junior year. He is 5-11, 175 pounds and is the son of Greg and Lynn Wail. In the JUCO ranks, he was 3-5 last season with 29 strikeouts and just six walks in 64 innings, finishing with a 3.83 earned-run average. He was also Player of the Week in football during high school and intends to major in history.
“Phil comes from an excellent JUCO program and has pitched in some big games for South Suburban,” Wilkinson said. “He has experience as a starter and reliever, which allows us to consider using him in a variety of roles. Excellent command of the strike zone should make Phil a lot of fun to play behind for our defensive players.”
Nathan Alvey is an excellent all-around student-athlete from Durham Jordan High School. The 6-0, 195-pound utility man can play first and third base, left field and pitch. The son of Richard and Shelley Alvey posted a 3.5 GPA in high school and was a three-time PAC 6 All-Conference performer, two-time State Games participant and a member of the Bull City Classic All-Tournament team. He had a .478 on-base percentage, 12 RBI, batted .250 and drew 18 walks this past season for Jordan and also played American Legion and AAU baseball.
He was a Peer Helper, a member of the U.S. History and Math clubs and received a National Student-Athlete Award.
“Nathan has played a lot of baseball and is very versatile,” Wilkinson said. “He has a strong body and will hit with power. With his tremendous desire and work ethic, there is no doubt that Nathan’s best baseball is ahead of him.”
Dennis Blackmon, Jr., was a standout catcher at South Johnston High School. The son of Dennis Blackmon, Sr., and Norma Blackmon hails from Clayton and stands 6-2 and weighs 180. He graduated with a 3.1 GPA and was Academic All-Conference in baseball for four years and two years for basketball. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he was All-State in baseball in 2000, named All-Conference three times and honorable mention once and garnered the Team MVP award. He copped the MVP and Hitting awards for the Easter Invitational and was named Most Outstanding Hitter for Johnston County’s American Legion team. He played for the East squad in the 2001 State Games, won the Stanley Coates award for All-Around Excellence and earned the Sam Narron Award given to Johnston County’s Baseball Player of the Year.
He batted .421 with six homers, 12 doubles and 28 RBI as a junior and batted .365 with five homers, seven doubles and 26 RBI his senior season.
“Dennis comes from a great high school program that traditionally produces successful and dedicated college players,” Wilkinson said. “He possesses and excellent throwing arm and has good, agile feet behind the plate. Dennis has always been an outstanding hitter, and as his body becomes stronger, he should have his best hitting ahead of him. I expect Dennis will step in immediately at the catching position and through hard work will continue to develop into an outstanding college baseball player. Barton looks forward to being a part of his exciting future.”
Infielder Fabri Bonilla comes to Barton after learning his skills from Southwest Onslow head coach Eric Leary, a former Barton assistant coach. The son of Aulio and Debra Bonilla was the Team MVP, named All-Conference and batted .405 his senior season. The 5-10, 178-pounder plans to major in computer science. He was on the Senior Council and was a member of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) and the Spanish Club.
“Fabri has a good, short swing that will improve through strength development,” Wilkinson said.
Spencer Brooks was a baseball/football star at Asheboro High School. The 6-0, 160-pound outfielder batted .405 with 16 RBI and scored 27 runs for the Blue Comets en route to All-Conference and All-County baseball honors. He was also named Running Back of the Year for Asheboro High.
The son of Jimmy and Vanessa Brooks was a member of the Student Council all four years of high school, was a senior representative and member of the New Horizon Club. He was also active with the youth group at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
“Spencer is a raw talent who will be fun to work with,” Wilkinson said. “His speed will be an asset for our team. His athletic ability and some hard time in the weight room should allow him to develop rapidly.”
Chad Clark joins the Bulldogs from Southern Durham High School, where he starred on a team that won the Five County and Eastern 3-A Regional titles, then lost in the 3-A State Championships series. He is a versatile student-athlete who also posted a 3.34 GPA.
The 6-0, 185-pounder won Southern’s Coach’s Award and was named to the All-Five County team for the second straight season. On March 13, 2001, he pitched a perfect game against Western Harnett and committed no errors for the year at first base. The son of Don and Candy Clark played American Legion Baseball for Post 58 and volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House, the Oak Grove Athletic Association and the North Durham Little League. He plans to major in Physical Education and Sports Studies.
“Chad comes off a state finalist team and played for an excellent high school program coached by Pete Shankle,” Wilkinson said. “He can play first base and left field and is a submarine pitcher. Chad will show us in fall practice where his most immediate contribution is likely to come from.”
Outfielder Michael Gray of Maple comes to Barton from Currituck Co. High School, where he enjoyed a sensational senior season, batting .428 with three home runs and 28 RBI on his way to team MVP and All-Conference honors.
The son of Mark and Jackie Gray played on the varsity all four seasons and also ran cross country as a freshman. He was on the honor roll at Currituck, won an N.C. Scholar-Athlete Award in 2001, the Good Citizen Award in 1999 and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students in 1999 and 2001. He plans to major in pre-engineering.
“Michael has the chance to be a fine hitter,” Wilkinson said. “His development as a hitter will depend on his efforts in the weight room. He has a nice throwing arm and will improve defensively. His best baseball is ahead of him.”
Jeff Hayhurst of Moyock also played for head coach Jeff Rhodes at Currrituck High, where he was an outstanding all-around athlete. He was three-time All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball, earning first-team All-Albemarle honors three times in those same sports. Hayhurst was two-time team MVP in basketball and football.
On the diamond, the son of Jeff and Gwennyedd Hayhurst led the Knights in wins, ERA and strikeouts his junior and senior seasons. The left-hander posted two wins in the state playoffs, including a 5-0 shutout of Croatan with 13 strikeouts. He also had a 19-strikeout game with just one walk. He threw two no-hitters and logged five shutouts his senior year.
Hayhurst, who won the Congressional Art Award, plans to major in Criminal Justice.
“Jeff’s prep development was under the eye of former Barton College player Jeff Dover,” Wilkinson said. “He pitched his high school team to the state playoffs and knows how to win. Jeff is a good athlete, and I see him being a valuable member of our pitching staff and adding depth to the left side.”
Trevor Lawhorn is a right-handed pitcher/outfielder from Wilmington New Hanover High School, where he was also a solid student, a member of the Heritage Club and a North Carolina Academic Scholar. On the field, he was selected to the 2001 Class 4-A All-State team, was twice on the All-Mideastern Conference team and played in the State Games of North Carolina.
On the mound, he recorded a sterling 9-2 record, facing 281 batters in 69 innings with 52 strikeouts, 12 walks and a 0.81 ERA.
The son of Randy and Terry Lawhorn plans to major in sports marketing.
“Trevor is loaded with potential,” Wilkinson said. “He knows how to play the game, is fundamentally sound and knows how to win. As Trevor gets stronger, his game will jump forward in leaps and bounds. Excellent arm strength and accuracy from the outfield, command of three pitches with developing velocity from the mound, and the ability to hit with power will make Trevor a versatile team member. I anticipate Trevor making immediate contributions as a two-way player this year.”
Left-hander Sam Minder III of Manheim, Pa., is a multi-faceted player who can play outfield, first base and pitch. At 6-3, 205 pounds, he starred at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pa., where he batted .397 his senior year and .299 as a junior. He won the “Rookie of the Year” award in 2000 and was an All-Star first baseman his junior and senior years in the Lancaster Lebanon League. He was also a first-team All-State first baseman, as named by the Mid Atlantic Baseball Coaches’ Alliance.
The son of Sam Jr. and Rosemary Minder plans to major in Business Administration. He won the East Petersburg Rotary Club award for leadership and made the honor roll his junior and senior seasons.
“Sam is physically developed beyond most high school freshmen baseball players,” Wilkinson said. “A left-handed hitter who can play first base and corner outfield, he will be a valuable asset to our team. We will also look at Sam as a pitcher. This young man should have a bright future at Barton College.”
Devin Rich of Wallace was the starting catcher at Wallace-Rose Hill High School for the past three seasons, earning All-Conference accolades this past season. He had the best defensive stats of any catcher in the East Central Conference as a senior.
The son of Ronnie and Beth Rich also played two years of JV football and two years of varsity football. He was four-year letter-winner in baseball and four times was named a Scholar-Athlete, finishing high school with a 3.62 GPA and a class rank of 16th. He was a member of the National Beta, Spanish and Monogram clubs, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also a class marshal his junior year.
Devin, who plans to major in business management, was an Academic Honoree for the past six years.
“Devin is a hard worker whom I first met when teaching him lessons at the N.C. Baseball Academy,” Wilkinson said. “His quality work ethic and devotion to the game allowed him the opportunity to receive a roster spot on our team. Devin will work hard to improve his game and be a very positive figure on our team.”
Dale Robertson II was a three-time All-Conference pitcher at Northwest Guilford High School, earning honorable mention All-County honors as a junior. The son of Dale Sr. and Bobbie Robertson played for the Kernersville Coyotes, who won the USSSA Baseball State Championship in 1999 and earned a No. 1 national ranking in 2000 and 2001. He was selected to the All-Tournament team for the International Travel Baseball Organization and playing in the World Championships.
“Dale is a strong body pitcher (6-1, 200) who will spend his first year at Barton as an NCAA partial qualifier,” Wilkinson said. “He has pitched for some quality summer teams in the Greensboro-Kernersville area and has excellent movement on his fastball. With hard work, he should experience some positive development here.”
Will Tyson is a local recruit, hailing from Spring Hope and having played for Ricky Taylor at Southern Nash Senior High School. The 6-0, 190-pound left-hander posted a 3.42 GPA and finished his prep career with an ERA under 3.00. He went 5-1-1 in American Legion baseball this past summer and voted Most Improved at SNSH last season.
He was named Best All-Around Student for 2001 at SNSH, made the honor roll, won the Presidential Academic Award and was in Who’s Who Among American High School Students twice. He was a member of the Key Club, SAVE/SADD and FCA.
He is the son of Danny and Jane Tyson and plans to major in Sport Management.
”Will is the classic crafty left-hander,” Wilkinson said. “He isn’t overpowering, but does what it takes to make the ball miss the bat. Left-handed pitching is a valuable item in the CVAC. I look for Will to fill a much-needed role within our pitching staff.”
Rufus Wilson Jr. was a standout infielder/outfielder at Washington High School, where he blasted 31 career homers en route to All-State and Class 3-A Player-of-the-Year honors his senior year. He earned MVP honors for American Legion Post 163 and played on the All-Ambassador team in the Australia Open.
The son of Rufus Sr. and Brenda Wilson also excelled on the gridiron for the Pam Pack, where he was two-time team MVP and won the Coach’s Award once. The 5-10, 180-pounder earned MVP and All-Conference honors three times in baseball and was Offensive Player of the Year in baseball as named by the Washington Daily News. He was also an All-America nominee in football.
He took honors classes at Washington High, where he won the English III Academic Achievement award and was a member of the Key Club. Wilson plans to major in biology.
“Rufus has been one of the top prep hitters in the state both his junior and senior years,” Wilkinson said. “He has a great swing with power, and I see him making an immediate impact with his bat in year one. He loves to play the game, is a great team player and wants to win. Rufus played third base in high school, but early in his career we will work him in the outfield. I am real excited about working with this young man.”
“I am pleased with how our team enters fall practice,” he said. “You can never have enough depth on the team, but we will be able to develop our pitching staff from five returnees, two JUCOs and seven freshmen. Pitching and defense must be our strengths each day we play, and this year’s recruiting class should be able to move us forward in both of these areas.
“There is potential for solid offensive performers in this group, but this variable is a big unknown until they are put in game situations against much better pitching than most of them have ever seen.”
Wilkinson said building chemistry, and strength through weight workouts, will be critical “for this group of young men to reach the high expectations I have for them.”
A new look. A new season. And, new-found enthusiasm as Barton baseball works to power its way back to the dominant days of old in the CVAC.
