HICKORY, N.C. – After having his 2022 season cut short due to injury, App State right-hander Xander Hamilton returned to the rotation as the Friday night starter in 2023. Friday night he struck out six batters in five innings to set the tone in the Mountaineers' 5-2 victory over Queens.
Hamilton struck out two in the first inning to begin his night, and the energy carried over to the offense right out of the gates. Reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Austin St. Laurent blasted an opposite-field two-run home run in the first inning, scoring Xavier Moronta, who singled one-batter prior, to give App State a 2-0 lead.