By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Sumter, SC---Despite the offensive efforts of Ryan Hotmer, Nick Collins and Austin Legate, the Express baseball team dropped a 10-6 decision to NJCAA D-I No. 25 USC-Sumter today.

Owens jumped ahead 3-0 in the top of the second thanks to an RBI groundout from Collins and a two-run error by USC-Sumter's left fielder.

USC then came back to score five in the third and two in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. Hotmer then lined a two-run single in the fifth inning to bring the Express closer before Legate produced a one out double in the sixth to make it 7-6.

However, USC-Sumter plated three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead back to four.

Hotmer led the Express offense with a 3-for-5, two RBI performance, while Collins went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Legate went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Joe Sickler and Nate Manis each added one hit and one run.

As a team, the Express hit 9-for-36 with six runs, four RBIs, two doubles and four walks. USC-Sumter went 12-for-38 with 10 runs, nine RBIs, three doubles and three walks.

Adam Jones (0-1) started on the mound for the Express and took the loss. His final line included three innings, five hits, five runs (four earned), one walk and three strikeouts. Daniel Heatherly relieved him in the fourth and finished with one inning pitched, three hits, two runs, one walk and two strikeouts. Jesse Castilleja went the next three innings and allowed four hits, three runs (two earned) and one walk, while Clayton Ruch pitched a scoreless eighth with one strikeout.

JR Black picked up the win in relief for USC-Sumter. They were led offensively by Cody Dolan, who went 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBIs and a double.

Notes

The Express will now travel to Myrtle Beach for two games on Thursday. They play Olney Central College at 12 p.m. before taking on Danville Area at 6 p.m.