May 13, 2011

Box Score

PHILADELHPIA, PA - The longest game of the season for the La Salle baseball team also proved to be the most gut-wrenching as No. 27 Charlotte broke a tie in the 11th inning to upend La Salle 3-2 on Friday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field.

The Explorers (25-21, 11-8) trailed 2-1 heading into the ninth when a rally helped send the game into extra frames. Brendan Norton singled home Joe Bennie with La Salle down to their final out to tie the game at 2-2.

The clutch single was Norton's only hit of the afternoon as he finished 1-for-5 with an RBI. The outfielder has now hit safely in seven straight games.

Kevin Fuqua pitched in and out of trouble all game long as his only blemishes were two unearned runs in the second inning. The righty lasted 7.2 frames and allowed just four hits but walked a season-high five batters with three strikeouts in a no decision.

La Salle took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an Eric Kammler RBI single. Kammler also finished 1-for-5 with an RBI.

The 49ers (37-11, 16-6) retook the lead in the top of the second on a two-run single from Justin Roland. The No. 9 hitter in the Charlotte lineup also had the game-winning RBI on an infield single in the 11th. Roland finished 2-for-4 with all three of Charlotte's RBI's.

Pat Christensen (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year in his longest outing of season. The closer entered the game in the ninth inning and pitched three frames with four hits allowed, one run, one walk and one strikeout.

The two clubs will return to action on Saturday and conclude the series with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

Live stats for both of Saturday's games will be available on GoExplorers.com.