BREVARD, N.C. - Hunter Busque pushed the Brevard College baseball team (9-14, 4-2 USA South) past the run-rule threshold with a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, as the Tornados dominated Pfeiffer University (6-14, 2-4 USAS) 17-4 on Sunday afternoon at Gil Coan Field.
The win marked BC's largest margin of victory since March 18, 2023, when Brevard defeated Southern Virginia, 23-6.
Senior first baseman Cale Oehler had a monster day at the plate for Brevard, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, three RBI, two doubles, and a two-run homer. Oehler, who has 21 career home runs at BC, has now hit round-trippers in back-to-back games.
Nico Bartolotti, CP Pyle, and Frankie Vasquez each totaled two hits, with Bartolotti driving in three and Vasquez pushing two across to score. Busque, Lucas Granata, and Logan Sawyer each came across twice, as seven different Tornados recorded base knocks.
Jordan Searcy (3-4) earned the win on the mound for Brevard, hurling six innings for the Tornados with five hits, three runs, and three strikeout. Jacob Wilde, who secured his first collegiate victory on Wednesday, notched his first career save. Wilde entered into the contest in the top of the seventh, retiring three-straight batters to get the Tornados out of a jam while also pitching the eighth inning.
Only eight of Pfeiffer's 17 runs surrendered were earned, as Brevard capitalized on three Falcon errors throughout the contest.
Brevard used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second and a wild pitch in the bottom of the third to take an early 2-0 lead. Pfeiffer cut the deficit in half with a run in the top of the fourth, but BC surged forward with four runs in the bottom of the frame to open up a 6-1 lead.
CJ Acosta launched a two-run shot in the top of the fifth to cut the Tornado lead to 6-3, and PU threatened for more in the top of the seventh, loading the bases up with nobody out. Wilde and the Tornados escaped the threat with a strikeout, fielder's choice, and fly out, as BC maintained its three-run lead.
The Tornados added three in the bottom of the seventh, and then capped things off with an eight-run eighth inning to seal the dominant home win.
Brevard is back at home next weekend for another crucial USA South set with NC Wesleyan. The series opener is slated for Saturday, March 29, with a doubleheader beginning at noon, while the series finale is set for Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m.
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter/Instagram @BCTornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados' on YouTube and SoundCloud, and follow 'Brevard College Tornado Athletics' on Facebook. In addition, follow 'brevardcollege' on Flickr for photos from BC events.
-BC-
