LaNinfa Powers State Past UNCA In Clemson Regional
June 03, 2006 | Baseball
* Official Statistics
* Official Statistics (PDF)
CLEMSON, S.C. - Brian LaNinfa doubled in two runs in the first inning and added a massive three-run home run in the fifth inning Saturday afternoon as Mississippi State (36-22) stayed alive in the NCAA Clemson Regional with a 5-4 win over North Carolina-Asheville (28-35) at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The win advances the Bulldogs to a Sunday elimination round contest against the loser of Saturday night's Elon-Clemson game. UNC Asheville, making its first appearance in NCAA postseason baseball competition, completed its season.
The UNCA Bulldogs, after falling behind 5-0, scored three runs in the fifth inning and mounted a serious threat in the bottom of the ninth inning. UNCA loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a hit batsman. But sophomore relief pitcher Justin Pigott got out of the inning with a double play and another infield groundout to preserve the win.
Josh Johnson drew starting duties for Mississippi State, scattering three runs on eight hits over 4-1/3 innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter, blanking UNCA over the first four innings. Freshman Aaron Weatherford worked three innings of scoreless relief before giving way to Pigott, the projected starter in the game. Pigott entered the game in the eighth with a runner on base, but ended the UNCA threat with a double play grounder. In the ninth Pigott gave up a single to Kyle Smith, hit John Whited with a pitch and Tony Wall reached base with a well-placed pinch-hit bunt single. But Pigott got UNCA lead-off hitter Kevin Mattison to ground into a double play, scoring Smith, but ended the game when Matt Henson grounded out to second.
MSU, the designated visiting team, jumped on UNCA starter Alan DeRatt (8-5) for two runs in the first inning. Jeffrey Rea beat out an infield single and Edward Easley reached safely on a throwing error by DeRatt. DeRatt retired the next batter but LaNinfa followed with a two-run double to left to give MSU the early lead.
The Bulldogs expanded that lead in the fifth. Easley got the rally started with his 18th double of the season and Thomas Berkery drew an intentional walk. LaNinfa followed with his team-leading 10th home run, a 450-foot home run that towered past the Clemson batting range beyond the right field fence.
LaNinfa, Rea and Mitch Moreleand finished with three-hit games to lead MSU's 13-hit attack at the plate. Thomas Berkery went hitless for just the sixth time in his 56 games played, ending his SEC-leading 15-game hitting streak.
Matt Henson, Elliott Arrington and Kyle Smith had two hits each for UNCA.
DeRatt took the loss. He was charged with all five runs (four earned) on 10 hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Ben Buchanan worked three scoreless innings in relief for North Carolina Asheville.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 5, UNC ASHEVILLE 4
MSU 200 030 000 --- 5-13-0UNCA 000 030 001 --- 4-10-1WP --- Aaron Weatherford (5-2). LP * Alan DeRatt (8-5). SV --- Justin Pigott (2). HR --- Brian LaNinfa (10). T --- 2:38. ATT --- 3157.
