Bucs Beat App. State, While Royals Waive Gobble

ETSU turns back Mountaineers and Kansas City is set to release Southwest Virginia native Jimmy Gobble.

By: ETSU | TriCities.com
Published: March 19, 2009

A three-run fifth lifted ETSU past Appalachian State Wednesday night as the Buccaneers held on to win at Cardinal Park, 5-3.

Chas Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) had a good start for the Bucs (7-9, 1-5 A-Sun) as he went 6.0 innings allowing only two runs on five hits and struck out four earning his first win of the season.

Ryan Arrowood put the Mountaineers up 1-0 in the top of the second as he singled to center bringing in a run.

Cory Betterson (Atlanta, Ga.) tied the game for the Bucs in the bottom of the second as he singled off of the pitcher's glove to bring in Paul Hoilman (Johnson City, Tenn.) to make the score 1-all.

ETSU jumped in front in the bottom of the fifth as Bo Reeder (Cookeville, Tenn.) singled in Chris Rankhorn (Gallatin, Tenn.) to take a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning Reeder came in to score on a Hoilman single that was misplayed by the ASU left fielder to give ETSU a 3-1 lead. Ben Allen (Kingsport, Tenn.) added another run for the Bucs as he singled to left driving in Hoilman to make the score 4-1.

Wes Hobson cut into the ETSU lead in the top of the sixth as he homered to right to make the score 4-2, Buccaneers.

Matthew Scruggs (Knoxville, Tenn.) answered with a home run of his own in the bottom of the sixth as he crushed a ball over the fence in left to extend the Bucs lead to 5-2.

The Mountaineers again cut into the ETSU lead in the top of the seventh as Jerod Faggart singled in a run to cut the lead to 5-3.

Dustin Plumlee (Powell, Tenn.) came in the bottom of the eighth with ASU threatening with two outs and struck out Hobson to get out of the inning. The Bucs then got out of the ninth unscathed as Plumlee picked up his third save of season.

ETSU was led offensively by Hoilman and Allen as they both went 2-for-4 in the game, while Hoilman scored two runs.

The Bucs are back in action Friday at 7 p.m. as they host conference opponent Campbell in game one of a three-game series at Cardinal Park. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.