Auburn scored seven runs in the third and fourth inning to turn a close game into a 10-5 win over Radford in the quarterfinals of the Three Rivers District baseball tournament Wednesday afternoon in Riner.

The game, which was scheduled to be played at Radford, was moved to Auburn because of poor field conditions following Monday's rain storm.

The Eagles (9-12) meets Giles in the semifinals at 4 p.m. today at Kiwanis Field in Salem.

In the first inning, both teams went down in order.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single Cody Quesenberry.

Auburn broke the game open in the top of the third behind RBI singles from Gabe Spencer, an RBI single by Adam Martin and a two-run single off the bat of Brian Gresty to make it 5-0. The Bobcats (11-9) scored in the bottom of the inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Luke Phillips that scored Eli Facemire makes it 5-1.

"The key for us was 4 two-out hits (RBI-single by Cody Quesenberry in the 2nd, 3rd inning RBI-single by Adam Martin, single by Levi Bower, and 2-run single by Brian Gresty) that pushed us out to a 5-0 lead. Those clutch hits gave the guys a lot of confidence and that momentum carried us the rest of the game," said Auburn head coach Skip Thompson.

The Eagles padded their lead in the top of the fourth when they crossed the plate three times to pull out to an 8-1 advantage that also saw a 15 minute rain delay. The Bobcats would strike again in the bottom of the fourth. Drew Cox led off with a triple to centerfield, which was followed by RBI triple to the same spot by Anthony Miano. Miano later scored on a fielder's choice and Facemire added a double to cut the Cats deficit to 8-3.

In the top of the fifth, an RBI single by Erik Gaynor scored Spencer. Gaynor later scored on a Radford error to make it 10-3.

Radford would find the plate again in the bottom of the sixth. Deion Baylor doubled to right-center and later scored on an RBI single off the bat of Jacob Hobbs, who then scored on an RBI double from Phillips to make it 10-5, Auburn.

Neither team scored in the seventh.

"They [Auburn] played really well and with great intensity," said Radford co-head coach Darden Freeman.

Gabe Spencer hurled a complete game. He gave up five runs on 12 hits and struck out three. He also went 4-for-5 at the plate. Levi Bowyer was 3-for-3 with an RBI.

"Gabe Spencer has been our leader all year and he really gave us a rock solid performance. Facing a lineup full of talented hitters like Drew Cox and Hunter Marshall is a real tough proposition but tough is what Gabe does best. He has been a real warrior for us this season. He may not have the best stuff in the district but he more than makes up for that with guts and determination. He's a winner," noted Thompson.

Drew Cox led the Bobcats was led by Drew Cox with two hits, including a triple. Eli Facemire added two hits, including a double.

"It was a great offensive showing by both teams, Radford had 11 hits (at least one from all nine starters) including three doubles and two triples," added Thompson.

Joey Sutphin, who came on in relief in the third inning was tagged with the loss for the Bobcats. Luke Phillips pitched the final four innings. Paul Parcell started on the mound and gave up one run on one hit in two innings.

 

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