Big Innings Lead UNCW Past Buckeyes, 12-4

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Brooks Baldwin knocked in a career-high tying five runs and Ethan Chenault delivered five innings of shutout relief as UNCW opened its series with Ohio State on Thursday with an impressive 12-4 win at Brooks Field.

The Seahawks upped their record to 10-6 with their third straight win while the Buckeyes slid to 6-9.

Baldwin collected three hits, including his fourth home run of the season coming in a four-run first inning. Dillon Lifrieri added three hits and scored twice while Trevor Marsh came off the bench and had two hits, including a grand slam in a six-run sixth inning that broke the game open.
Chenault (1-0) allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four in a season-long five innings of work.

Marcus Ernst paced Ohio State at the top of the lineup with three hits, including a leadoff homer in the top of the first. It was his first home run of the season.

Reliever Aaron Funk (0-2) took the loss, allowing three runs in two-plus innings of work.

How it happened: The Seahawks led 5-4 after 5 1/2 innings before throwing up six runs on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Nine Seahawks made their way to the plate in the inning which was highlighted by Marsh’s grand slam off the batters eye in center field. Matt Suggs plated a run with a bases loaded walk and Ethan Baucom had a sacrifice fly.

Inside the box score: UNCW advanced runners in 16-of-26 opportunities and had seven two-out hits … The Seahawks were 6-for-14 with RISP … Seahawk pitchers did not yield a two-out hit on the night and limited OSU to one hit with runners on base … Baldwin went 3-for-3 with RISP.

Home Runs: UNCW Brooks Baldwin (4, 1st inning, two on, none out); Trevor Marsh (1, 6th inning, three on, two out); Ohio State: Marcus Ernst (1, 1st inning, none on, none out)

Up next: The series continues Friday at 6 p.m.

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