Nicko Kostopoulos’s Clutch Hitting Propels SWCC to Victory over the Wake Tech Eagles
Nicko Kostopoulos drove in seven runs off four hits to lead SWCC past Wake Tech in an 11-7 victory. Kostopoulos hit a home run to left field in the fourth scoring three, doubled in the eighth scoring two, singled in the first scoring one, and doubled in the third scoring one.
SWCC collected 13 hits, and Wake Tech had 9 in this affair.
Wake Tech opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles, which put them on the board when Penner hit a single that scored one run.
Southwest would then capture a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a Jacob Pealer double, a Kostopoulos single, and TJ Hubbard grounding out, which scored a run.
Three more SWCC runs crossed the plate in the third inning to extend the lead to 6-2. Kostopoulos doubled, scoring one run, and Hubbard hit a home run to left field, which let in two runs.
Kostopoulos was quick to join the home run club for this game, as he also sent one over the left field wall, which allowed three runs in.
Wake Tech would go on to score two runs at the top of the 5th off of a home run by Cipriano.
Jelic, of the Wake Tech Eagles, would also hit a home run, this time a solo over the center field wall in the top of the eighth.
TJ Hubbard earned the win for Southwest Virginia. The starting pitcher allowed five hits and six runs over four and one-third innings. Slep took the loss for Wake Tech. The starting pitcher went five innings, giving up nine runs off of 10 hits. He had eight strikeouts and no walks. Kostopoulos collected a save for the Flying Eagles.
SWCC accumulated 13 hits in this game. Multiple hits came from Pealer, Logan Williams, and Max McGlothlin. SWCC as a team also collected three stolen bases.
When asked about his first win as the head coach of SWCC’s baseball team, this is what Head Coach Steve McMillian has to say: “This is a big win for this group of kids; they have worked their tails off all season for this; they earned this win as a team. No one deserves this one more than them.”