HAMPTON, VA. – Sophomore Ethan Halberg allowed three hits and struck out nine as the Apprentice School pushed three runs across in the fourth inning and broke open a close game as they defeated Thomas Nelson CC 7-2 on Thursday night at War Memorial Stadium.

The Gators scored a run in the first as Alex Wetzler singled and stole second before scoring on a single by Brennen Iley.  Apprentice School tied it with a run in the third inning as Chris Scarola singled and stole second and third before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Wagner.

The Builders pushed three across in the fourth courtesy of a pair of Gators errors as Corey Gallaway, Andrew Hooper and Chris Scarola singled to drive in Gallaway.  He eventually scored as Wagner hit a fly ball to center and a throw to third got by the third baseman allowing Scarola to score.

TNCC scored again in the sixth as Wetzler reached second on an error, advanced to third on a single by Raul Martinez and scored on a sacrifice fly from Iley.

Apprentice School pushed their final two runs across in the seventh as Josh Tuck, Andrew Yonta and Chris Perry drew walks to start the inning and sacrifice flies from Chris Aldridge and Gallaway scored Tuck and Yonta respectively.

Halberg struck out a career best nine in his eight innings before Coire Barnitz closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning.  Tuck, Hooper and Scarola each had two hits on the game as the Builders outhit TNCC 8-3.

Apprentice School travels up Warwick Boulevard on Friday afternoon to face NCAA Division III second-ranked Christopher Newport University at 3 pm at Captains Field.