Charlotte’s Shane Basen is greeted by his teammates after picking up a career first grand slam and a career first homer at home. Photo by Chris Crews
After getting off to a bit of a slow, but winning, start early on in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, the two-seeded Charlotte 49ers (37-21) knew they needed strong pitching and a big defense to secure a spot in the championship game on Saturday.
In game three of the conference tournament on Friday, the 49ers got both.
Charlotte pitcher Brock Hudgens picked up three early strikeouts against the four-seeded Xavier Musketeers (32-35) in the first four innings to not only boost the confidence of the 49ers, but also help them to remain calm and focused.
“It did help a lot. The strikeouts did, but my defense made a lot of great plays as well,” said Hudgens.
In the top of the first, Justin Seager picked up a two-out RBI and sent JJ Elseser home. The Musketeers went three up, three down in the bottom half to give the 49ers a 1-0 lead.
Birthday boy Shane Basen singled a base hit up the middle sending Elseser to third. With two outs, Brad Elwood grabbed his fifth RBI of the tournament and sent Elseser home.
A one-run RBI by Basen and a two-run RBI by Elwood, making that his seventh RBI of the tournament, boosted the 49ers’ confidence in the top of the fifth.
Xavier Patrick Paligraf earned himself a single RBI to drive Derek Hasenbeck home in the bottom of the sixth.
With the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, Shane Basen not only fired one out of the park and got his first career grand slam, but also got his first career home run at home, proving to the Musketeers that the 49ers meant business.
“The bottom part [of the batting order] did [their part] the past couple of days, so we just had to pick it up do our job,” said Basen.
“Brock pitched phenomenal, and we just wanted to play defense behind him and get ahead early so we could save our bullpen.”
Charlotte pitcher Brock Hudgens threw eight innings for the 49ers and picking up three strikeouts and only allowing five hits. Photo by Chris Crews
Although the Musketeers were able to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth and Charlotte pitcher Adam Huffman came in for Hudgens in the bottom of the ninth, the 49ers picked up a huge 12-3 win and remain the only undefeated team left in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament.
For head coach Loren Hibbs, today’s win confirmed what he already knew about his determined team.
“I’m just really proud of the way our guys played,” said Hibbs.
“I’m kind of at a loss for words, which is kind of unusual for me this time of year. We just keep hanging in there, and playing and grinding.”
Elwood, the tournament RBI leader, gave credit to his teammates for helping make his job a bit less stressful.
“A lot of credit to my teammates for getting on base for me,” said Elwood.
Both Elseser and Michael Green had two hits each in the game allowing Elwood to move them around the bases.
“It’s all about them getting on base for me and me being able to get a pitch I can drive.”
Basen, collecting a game-high five RBIs, knew today’s game against Xavier would not be an easy one.
“Xavier always plays hard and we know that.
Almost all of the 49ers acknowledged that they would not be where they are in the tournament without the loyal fans.
Louder than usual fans packed out Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium on Friday as the 49ers secured their spot in the conference tournament championship.
“We need that same energy tomorrow. We feed off of it, so come out, support us and let’s win that A-10 championship,” said Basen.
After a one-seeded Saint Louis win Friday night that knocked out Xavier, the 49ers will face the Billikens in the final game of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
Because the A-10 tournament is double elimination, a Charlotte loss tomorrow means both teams will face each other in a double-header starting at 3:30 p.m.
Hibbs knows how important the Niner Nation family is to the 49ers.
“We need to pack this place out tomorrow.”
With near perfect weather on the radar for Saturday, it will be a great afternoon to take in a game, or two.
“It’s going to be the last time we play in the Atlantic 10. Everybody that can, please drop what you’re doing on Saturday and get out here and support us because we’re going to need all the help we can get.”