AIKEN, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (0-2) picked up its first win of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, downing the University of South Carolina Aiken (5-1) in game three of their weekend series. The Wasps utilized a five-run fifth inning to win the series finale by a 7-5 scoreline.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 7, USC Aiken 5
LOCATION – Aiken, South Carolina
VENUE – Roberto Hernandez Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-2, 0-0 SAC); USC Aiken (5-1, 0-0 PBC)
How It Happened
Both teams were kept off of the scoreboard through the first two innings, until the Pacers opened things up in the bottom of the third. USCA put together a run on a pair of hits to make it 1-0 through three innings of play. Emory & Henry had an immediate response to tie things up in the top of the fourth. Senior outfielder Clay Caldwell (Salem, Va.) drew a walk and moved into scoring position on a field pickoff attempt. Redshirt freshman catcher David Rodriguez (Toa Baja, PUERTO RICO) delivered an RBI single to make it 1-1.
The Wasps' offense came to life in the fifth inning to increase their advantage. Junior designated hitter Kyle Fields (Lynchburg, Va.) drilled a single while junior first baseman J.D. James (China Grove, N.C.) and senior third baseman Drew Park (Mooresville, N.C.) drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Caldwell pushed across a run with an RBI walk to set the stage for sophomore outfielder Stuart Callahan, III (Stuart, Va.). Callahan unloaded on a pitch for a grand slam, his first collegiate home run, to give the Wasps some breathing room at 6-1. The Pacers struck back with a trio of runs on a hit and an E&H error to draw back within striking distance at 6-4.
Emory & Henry added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as James left the yard on a solo shot for his first round tripper in a Wasp uniform. USCA would add one run in the bottom of the ninth, but the Wasps closed things out for the 7-5 win.
Junior lefty Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) earned the win on the hill for the Wasps as he went 5.1 innings while allowing four runs, just one earned, on four hits while striking out a pair of batters. Senior Brady Halstead (Indian Trail, N.C.) picked up the save, closing things down in the ninth inning. Ben Shepherd was saddled with the loss for the Pacers as he surrendered four runs on five hits and five walks over 4.1 innings of work. Sophomore shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) had a team-high three hits while Callahan led the offense with four RBIs on his grand slam.
Up Next
Emory & Henry makes the short trip to take on border rival King (Tenn.) University on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Bristol, Tennessee.
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