Gaston College knocks off Combine Academy behind late-game home run power

There's nothing like a three-run home run in a tight game, and Gaston College used the long ball to take command against Combine Academy Friday at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia.

Designated hitter Freddie Oliver hit a three-run shot in the fifth inning to stake the Rhinos to a 5-1 lead, and they pulled away for an 11-2 victory to run their season record to 7-1.

The game was close until the midway point, with Gaston College leading only 2-1 heading into the pivotal bottom of the fifth.

However, Trey Truitt and Andrew Muraco set the stage for Oliver by drawing back-to-back two out walks from Combine reliever Thomas Moore.

Oliver, a freshman from Durham, followed with a drive over the wall at the 375-foot sign in center field to change the complexion of the game.

An inning later, Preston Hall hit a two-run home run to right field to give the Rhinos a 7-2 lead. Gaston College added two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings with the help of aggressive baserunning and Combine Academy fielding mistakes.

Gaston College starting pitcher J.D. Everett went 5 1-3 innings to get the win, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out four. Derek Vartanian (2 2-3 innings) and Landon Carr (1 inning) got some work out of the bullpen.

The three Gaston College pitchers combined on a five-hitter with nine strikeouts and no walks allowed.

Justin Smith accounted for both runs by the Goats, doubling in a run in the third inning and hitting a solo home run in the sixth.

Smith's homer, followed by a hit batter, led to a pitching change with one out in the top of the sixth. Vartanian came in and retired two straight batters to close out the Goats with no further scoring.

Hall (2-3, three RBIs) and Oliver (1-2, four RBIs) led an 11-hit Gaston College offense.

"I was happy to get the win against a quality opponent," Rhinos coach Shohn Doty said. "The lefthander (Combine reliever A.J. Camp) gave us some problems early, but once we got back to their righthanders, we were able to get on top of the fastball. And we were able to take advantage of some good things in the running game that we do very well. That is winning baseball."

As a team, the Rhinos stole six bases, with Hayden Brandon getting two thefts as a pinch runner.

A doubleheader against Combine's post-graduate team is set for a noon start Saturday at Sims Legion Park. Friday's game marked the season opener for Combine.

as the season unfolds, Doty said he is looking for consistency game in and game out.

"We just need to be opportunistic on offense and play good defense. I can't say enough about where we are from a pitching standpoint. We have pitched at a very high level through the first eight games," Doty said.