Steven Linkous and Robbie Thorburn combined for seven hits and five runs scored as UNCW finished off a sweep of the Hughes Bros. Challenge with an 11-4 win over VCU at Brooks Field on Sunday.
The Seahawks ran their record to 6-0, while the Rams dipped to 3-3. UNCW has scored in double figures in all six games to open the season.
Thorburn banged out four hits, scored three times and knocked in two, while Linkous added three hits, two runs and a pair of RBIs. Brian Mims also continued his hot weekend, driving in three runs on two hits.
After VCU tied it in the fourth at four-all, UNCW plated two runs, all with two out, to take a 6-4 lead. Thorburn ignited the rally with a single and Kennard McDowell followed with a single of his own. Linkous plated Thorburn with a base hit to left and Mims scored McDowell with the final run on a single. All four hits came in succession.
UNCW posted six two-out RBI’s on the afternoon and went 7-for-14 with two outs. UNCW’s bullpen combined to allow just one two-out hit and struck out 10 in seven innings of work.
Justin Crump (1-0) earned the win out of the bullpen in his season debut. Crump struck out two and allowed a run in 2.1 innings of relief. No hitter in the VCU lineup had more than one hit on the game.
The Seahawks visit nationally ranked NC State on Wednesday, March 2 for a 3 p.m. start.
