MARS HILL, N.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (16-30, 7-20 SAC) dropped game one, before winning game two of a doubleheader against Mars Hill University (13-34, 6-21 SAC) to clinch the South Atlantic Conference series win Saturday afternoon. The Lions shutout the Wasps 9-0 in the opener before E&H stormed back for a 9-4 victory in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Mars Hill 9, Emory & Henry 0
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 9, Mars Hill 4 (Seven Innings)
LOCATION – Mars Hill, North Carolina
VENUE – Henderson Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (16-30, 7-20 SAC); Mars Hill (13-34, 6-21 SAC)
Game One - Mars Hill 9, Emory & Henry 0
The Lions were first on the board in game one of the doubleheader as they tallied two runs on three hits. The home team struck again in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs to push their advantage out to 4-0. It was all MHU in game one of the double dip as the Wasps only managed three base runners during the afternoon. Mars Hill added one in the sixth and four more in the seventh for the 9-0 shutout victory.
Dylan Vega earned the win on the hill for the Lions as he threw eight scoreless innings, giving up just one hit while fanning a pair of hitters. Sophomore lefty Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) took the loss for the Wasps after allowing four runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of work. Fifth-year outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) recorded the lone base hit for the Wasps.
Game Two - Emory & Henry 5, Mars Hill 1 (Seven Innings)
The Wasps flipped the script in game two as they took the early lead in the top of the first. Fifth-year second baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) reached on a single, advanced to second and came around to score on an RBI single from senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) to make it 1-0.
E&H added to its lead in the top of the second as the Wasps mounted a rally with two outs. Freshman outfielder Rhett Barker (Charlotte, N.C.) singled, Foley reached on an error and freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) drove in a run with a single. Smith drove in another run with an RBI base knock and Bebber followed with a two-RBI single to score Smith and Hoppes to run the Wasps' advantage out to 5-0. The Lions responded with a run in the home half to reduce the deficit to 5-1.
The Lions slowly chipped away at the deficit as they recorded one run in the fourth and another in the fifth to bring themselves back within a pair at 5-3. Emory & Henry got back in the scoring column in the top of the sixth inning. Foley drew a leadoff walk and scampered to third base on a single by senior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.). Bebber delivered an RBI base knock to plate Foley and push the Wasps' lead back out to 6-3. MHU would answer back with a run on two hits to make it 6-4 heading to the final inning.
Junior designated hitter Ky Gregoire (Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA) and fifth-year outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) drew back-to-back walks to get the inning started. Foley drilled an RBI single to left to score one run. Hoppes followed with an RBI double to plate Hill and Smith hit a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Foley to score and give the Wasps a 9-4 lead. Fifth-year reliever Jack Swarbrick (Haverhill, Mass.) sat down the Lions without allowing a run in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the game and the series for E&H.
Sophomore pitcher Jacob Iverson (Fort Mill, S.C.) picked up the win on the mound for the Wasps as he went .2 innings, allowing one run without giving up a hit. Swarbrick earned his third save of the season, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out three batters in 3.1 innings of work. Jake Wagoner took the loss for MHU after giving up five runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings. Bebber led the way offensively for E&H with four RBIs on three base knocks. Hoppes and Smith each drove in a pair while Foley had two hits and an RBI.
Up Next
The Wasps are back at home on Tuesday, April 22 when they host the Eagles of Carson-Newman University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Porterfield-DeVault Field.
--E&H--