The 2026 season for UNC Asheville baseball concluded on a disappointing note as the Bulldogs dropped an 8‑5 decision to High Point on Friday night. The game, played in front of a modest crowd in North Carolina, marked the final appearance for a group of senior players who had guided the program through a turbulent year.
A fast start by the Panthers
High Point struck first, exploding for four runs in the opening inning. The early onslaught set the tone and forced Asheville into a catch‑up mode that would define much of the contest.
The Bulldogs answered in the fourth inning, plating two runs. Tyler Parks and Owen Michelson each contributed to the rally, while Patrick Gillen drove in the first run with a timely hit. Coleman McGinnis added the second run, narrowing the gap to 4‑2.
Asheville continued to chip away, adding a single run in the sixth inning to make it 4‑3. The momentum shifted again in the seventh when the Bulldogs seized a 5‑4 lead, sparking hope among the home fans.
High Point's late surge
The Panthers refused to go quietly. In the eighth inning they erupted for two runs on back‑to‑back home runs, flipping the scoreboard to 6‑5. High Point added two more runs in the ninth, capping the comeback with an 8‑5 final tally.
Key offensive contributors for Asheville included Parks, Gillen and Jake Perieira, each finishing with two hits. Logan Lowe and Owen Michelson each added a single hit and a run scored, while Gillen also stole a base and drove in three runs. Coleman McGinnis and Michelson each contributed an RBI, underscoring a collective effort at the plate.
On the mound, Cooper Smith struggled, allowing four runs on five hits in just 2.1 innings before being pulled. Garrett Crum took the loss, surrendering two runs over 4.2 innings, while Matthew Hall threw a hitless inning of relief that still saw a run cross the plate. TJ Brooks closed out the game with a single run allowed on three hits, marking his final appearance as a Bulldog.
The loss underscores the challenges faced by a young program eager to rebuild. Despite the final score, the seniors left a legacy of perseverance, and the team will look to translate these experiences into future success as it heads into the offseason.