JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — Drew DuPont homered and drove in two runs as Appalachian State defeated East Tennessee State 8-5 on Wednesday afternoon at Thomas Stadium.

The Mountaineers (7-1) built an early lead and relied on a dominant bullpen to hold off the Buccaneers (6-2). Appalachian State scored four runs in the third inning, highlighted by Riley Luft’s two-run homer in the second and a run-scoring double from Steve Smith.

East Tennessee State rallied for five runs in the third and fourth innings, keyed by a two-run double from T. Fetterman. Appalachian State’s bullpen then silenced the rally, as four relievers — Jake Beaty, Nick Dirito, Calvert Clark and Max Tramontana — combined for 7 1/3 hitless innings with eight strikeouts. Nico Soul also homered for the Mountaineers, who finished with 12 hits.