Bobcats Ride Series Sweep Over Lenoir Heading Into Conference Tournament as No. 3 Seed

Diego Melendez powered the Bobcats to a dominant 10-0 victory in game one over Lenoir CC on Friday, driving in four runs on two hits.

Melendez got the offense rolling in the first inning with a two-run homer to left field after Ben Meeks doubled to score the game's first run. Melendez added a two-RBI single in the fourth to continue the offensive surge. Josh Smith chipped in with an RBI single in the second, and the Bobcats broke things open with a four-run fifth inning thanks to back-to-back home runs by Dakota Doll and Bishop Quarles.

On the mound, Casey Proctor earned the win, tossing five shutout innings while allowing just two hits, striking out four, and walking four. The Bobcats tallied 10 hits in total, with Doll and Melendez each recording two. Defensively, the team was flawless, committing no errors and getting six plays from Chris Johnson. Meanwhile, Lenoir Community College was limited to just two hits, one each from Aiden Taylor and Alex Guevara. Though Lenoir turned a double play and played clean defense, they couldn't contain the Bobcats' offense.

The Bobcats secured a thrilling 8-7 walk-off win over Lenoir CC in game two on Saturday, capping a back-and-forth battle with a dramatic finish.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Ben Meeks delivered the game-winning single to center field, scoring the deciding run. The Bobcats' offense came alive early, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning behind an RBI single from Justin Smith and a two-run homer by Bishop Quarles. In the third, Diego Melendez launched a three-run home run to left, extending the lead to 6-0. However, Lenoir roared back with a five-run sixth inning to take a 7-6 advantage, fueled by Aiden Taylor's two-run double.

Undeterred, the Bobcats rallied in the ninth. Quarles and Meeks each delivered clutch RBI singles to reclaim the lead and seal the victory. Derek Arrocha earned the win in relief, striking out six over 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Calub Gryckiewocz started on the mound, going five innings and giving up two runs on five hits. Offensively, the Bobcats racked up 12 hits, led by Quarles, who went a perfect 4-for-4. Smith and Meeks also recorded multiple hits. Defensively, the Bobcats played error-free baseball and turned two double plays, with Dakota Doll leading the team with 11 chances in the field.

The Bobcats mounted a powerful comeback to defeat Lenoir CC 14-5 in game three on Saturday, overcoming an early four-run deficit with an explosive eight-run second inning.

Key contributors in the frame included Jake Dellavecchia with an RBI groundout, Josh Smith with a bases-loaded walk, Ben Meeks and Ben Malone with RBI singles, and Bishop Quarles with a three-run double. A wild pitch capped off the rally, pushing the Bobcats firmly into the lead. Chris Johnson added to the momentum with a solo home run in the fourth, while Justin Smith launched a two-run shot in the sixth to extend the advantage.

Miguel Cortes earned the win in relief, pitching 2.1 hitless innings with three strikeouts. Jason Johnson started on the mound, allowing four runs over 1.2 innings, while Hector Norreiga added two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Offensively, the Bobcats tallied 13 hits, led by Meeks' 3-for-4 performance and Quarles' three RBIs. Johnson, Smith, and Dellavecchia also recorded multiple hits. The Bobcats showcased patience at the plate with seven walks and aggressive baserunning with three stolen bases. Defensively, they remained flawless in the field with no errors, while Dellavecchia led the team with nine defensive chances.