Errors and some untimely hit batters doomed UNCW on Sunday, as they were swept in their baseball doubleheader against former conference foe Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Seahawks were unable to hold on to a lead in the first game losing 14-8, and couldn’t quite produce enough offense in the second, losing 4-2.

“Personally it was a disappointing day for me,” Seahawk Head Coach Mark Scalf said. “I felt like we were in a position to win a series, but we just weren’t able to throw enough strikes in the first game.”

The first contest was a back and forth game that was in the balance all the way to the top of the ninth inning, when the Seahawks held a two-run lead. In the 9^th, VCU pounded out eight runs on only five hits. The first four Rams reached base that inning via either a walk, error, or hit by pitch.

Walks and hit by pitches were a common theme for the Seahawks during the first game, when they allowed 13 Rams to reach first base without even having to swing the bat.

“A number of them (hit by pitches) we were trying to go inside, but we don’t want to go that far in,” Scalf said. “I do feel there were a couple hit by pitches where we hit guys with changeups, and that can’t happen.”

Sophomore Nick Monroe started his first game since throwing a near perfect game two weeks ago. After giving up five runs in the first two innings, Monroe settled in and didn’t allow another run until he was removed in the sixth inning.  

It was the first time in eight games that the UNCW pitching staff gave up more than five runs in a game. The bullpen was especially hit hard, giving up nine runs in only three innings and a third.

The nightcap of Sunday’s doubleheader was a completely different story, as both starting pitchers gave their teams quality starts and there was not nearly as much offense on either side.

The backbreaking inning for UNCW in the second game was the top of the sixth, when they gave up two runs following a two-out error by Seahawk shortstop Terrence Connelly. Those runs proved to be the game winning scores.

Sophomore pitcher Ryan Foster pitched just under seven innings for the Seahawks and gave up four unearned runs, and that was all opposing Virginia Commonwealth pitcher JoJo Howie needed, throwing a 156-pitch complete game against the Seahawks.

“I felt like Ryan Foster, (Will) Shepley, and (Ricky) Holden threw well enough to win a ballgame, unfortunately JoJo Howie was a little better,” Scalf said.

Offensively for the Seahakws, first baseman Corey Dick continues to be their best hitter as he extended his hit streak to 10 games. Luke Dunlap and Josh Abshire continue to recover from their early season injuries, but both saw the most playing time in weeks this weekend against the Rams.

After going out west for spring break, the Seahawks will remain in Wilmington throughout the upcoming week. On Wednesday they welcome in-state rival UNC-Greensboro to Brooks Field before hosting a three game series against Indiana State next weekend.