Cooper Porter: Porter hit a grand slam for Pensacola State during its 12-2 win over Meridian Community College on Saturday in Pensacola, FL. It was the first grand slam of his college career. Porter, playing shortstop, went 1-for-2 against the Eagles. Porter homered again in the nightcap of the doubleheader, which the Eagles won 12-1 in five innings.
Landon Riley: Riley, now a senior for the Liberty baseball team, made his first pitching appearance of the season as the Flames defeated North Carolina A&T 12-2 in Lynchburg, VA on Wednesday. Riley threw one scoreless inning in relief with two walks and one strikeout. Over the weekend, the Flames had a three-game sweep of Winthrop. In Sunday’s 13-2 win, Riley threw two-thirds of scoreless relief with two strikeouts. Liberty started the season by taking two-out-of-three games against Florida, which was ranked #9 at the time.
Joey Berini: The #25 East Carolina baseball team faced North Carolina in a three-game series this weekend. On Friday, the Tar Heels defeated the Pirates 7-4 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill. Berini entered the game for the Pirates in the eighth inning as a designated hitter and drew a walk. In the ninth inning, Berini reached base off an error by the Tar Heel shortstop. ECU is 2-5 after losing Saturday’s game to UNC, but winning on Sunday night. They will travel to Durham Bulls Athletic Park to face Duke on Tuesday afternoon at 4.
Joey McMullin: The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team is on its way to the Division III National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. On Saturday, the Flyers defeated Prince George Community College 77-72 to win the Mid-Atlantic District Championship in Largo, MD. McMullin, who was named the Region X Player of the Year last week, came off the bench to score 12 points and grab six rebounds. The Flyers, who will make its fourth straight appearance in the national tournament, are 26-7. The Division III national tournament will take place in Rockford, IL, staring March 9.
Connor Crabtree: The Richmond men’s basketball team defeated St. Louis 68-66 at the Robins Center on Friday. Crabtree played eight minutes off the bench and scored two points. On Tuesday, the Spiders defeated George Washington 84-71. Crabtree scored three points in six minutes.
Jaden Hurdle: Patrick & Henry Community College won all four games they played this weekend. Hurdle had another huge weekend, hitting home runs in each of her final three games. She also picked up a win and a save in the pitcher’s circle. Currently, Hurdle leads Region X of the NJCAA with seven home runs. She is second in Region X with 17 RBIs, one behind teammate Elizabeth Parrish.
On Friday, the Patriots swept Southeastern Community College-Whiteville in a doubleheader. In the opening game, the Patriots won 10-2. Hurdle started the game in the circle for P&HCC and earned the win, throwing a complete game. She struck out nine over six innings, surrendering five hits and two runs (both unearned). Hurdle also went 1-for-5. In the nightcap, Patrick & Henry won 9-1. Hurdle had another home run, a two-run blast that came during a seven-run 7th inning. Hurdle went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored with a double.
On Saturday, P&HCC swept a doubleheader from Lakeland Community College. In the opening game, the Patriots were down 7-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning before storming back with five runs in its final at-bat to win 8-7. Hurdle had another home run and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. In the Patriots’ 7-3 victory in the nightcap, Hurdle earned the save as a pitcher after she replaced starter Madison Lemons. She threw three innings, where she didn’t surrender a hit. Hurdle walked two and struck out one. At the plate, Hurdle hit a home run and a double. She finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Tori Dalehite: The UNC Greensboro softball team swept all four games in this weekend’s UNCG Invitational. On Saturday, the Spartans defeated Towson 4-1. Dalehite started in right field and went 1-for-3. The Spartans, which defeated Virginia on Sunday, are 9-4.
Grace Andrews: The Catawba Valley Community College softball team split a doubleheader with USC Sumter on Friday. in CVCC’s 8-1 opening game victory, Andrews went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Andrews drove in the second run of the game in the first inning. The Fire Ants defeated the Red Hawks 5-3 in the nightcap. Andrews went 0-for-4. On Saturday, Catawba Valley swept a doubleheader from USC Salkehatchie. In the opener, the Red Hawks won 8-0 in six innings. Andrews went 1-for-2 with three RBIs. In the first inning, Andrews drove in the opening run of the game with a sacrifice fly to score Kaylee Yoder. Andrews hit a double in the fourth inning to score two runs. Catawba Valley won the nightcap 10-3. Andrews went 0-for-5 starting at third base. The Red Hawks are 3-1.
Braden Homsey: At the Division III NCAA Southeast Wrestling regionals in Williamsport, PA, Homey finished 1-2 in the 197-pound tournament. Homey opened with a major decision win over Brendan Loder of Gettysburg College 14-3. Alvernia University’s Mario Pellot defeated Homsey 16-7 in the quarterfinals. In the consolation round, Joe Embleton of Messiah University outscored Homsey 14-10.
Jamar Davis: In the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend, Davis finished 11th for N.C. State in the long jump with a leap of 24’7.25″. On Saturday, Davis wound up in tenth place in the triple jump with a leap of 50’3.25″. The event was held at Rector Field House in Blacksburg, VA.