Hot Bats for SMC Baseball Lead Pioneers to Doubleheader Sweep of Brewton-Parker

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The sunny skies of Spartanburg and Mooneyham Field brought out offensive fireworks for the Spartanburg Methodist College baseball team in a doubleheader sweep of Brewton-Parker College on Saturday.

The Pioneers (17-23) pounded out 35 hits, including a season-high 23 in the nightcap, in wins of 12-2 (7 innings) and 16-8 over the Barons.

Game one was led by the hot bat of Dario Astudillo, who went 3-for-4 with six RBIs. Teammate and leadoff batter Leo Lopez went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Lopez was one of four Pioneers to cross the plate twice. Thatcher Baughman added a 2-for-2 performance from the No. 9 spot, scoring three runs and driving in two.

SMC scored in six of the seven innings and outscored the Barons 11-1 over the final five.

The offensive surge gave more than enough support to pitcher Travis Dannecker, who improved to 5-1 with a complete game and four strikeouts.

In game two, all nine starters recorded multiple hits. Right fielder Justin Dawkins and catcher Chance Greene led the way. Dawkins went 5-for-6 with three runs scored, while Greene went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a team-best four RBIs. Jarian Pinckney and Matt Smith each homered in three-hit efforts.

The Barons rallied to tie the game at 8 in the top of the eighth before the Pioneers exploded for eight runs in the bottom half. Three came on a three-run homer by Greene, and another three on a blast by Pinckney.

In relief, Carson Matthews earned the win, pitching two innings before handing the ball to Payton Gardner, who retired the Barons in order to seal the game.

Next, SMC will host Bryan at Mooneyham Field on Monday at 1 p.m. to wrap up the 2025 home slate.