Baseball Sweeps Kutztown

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Lions' baseball team swept visiting Kutztown by scores of 3-0 and 6-3 in Mars Hill's home opening contests. MHU improved to 4-1 overall while the Bears fell to 0-2 on the season.

Game 1: Mars Hill 3, Kutztown 0

Zac Brown and Alec Bivens combined to shutout the Bears in game one. Brown threw six scoreless innings while Bivens did not allow a run in his single inning of work to pick up his second save on the season. Matt Swarmer suffered the loss (0-1) for the Bears on the mound.

Dylan Powers led the Lions at the plate going 1-3 with a double and two RBI that included the game winning runs. Hunter Merrill was 1-2 with an RBI.

After five scoreless innings, Powers doubled to left-center field to drive in Evan Rogers and Rayshelon Carolina. Merrill then reached first base on a bunt that also allowed Powers to cross the plate.

Game 2: Mars Hill 6, Kutztown 3

Carroll led the Lions offensively going 1-3 with a triple, a run scored and a RBI. Matt Honeycutt also went 1-3 with a RBI while Drayden Williams came off the bench with a pinch hit double that also scored a run. Adam Daniel picked up the win (1-0) in relief pitching the fifth inning allowing no hits while striking out one batter. Lane Grant obtained the save (1) recording the last out in the contest. Matt Matricardi took the loss (0-1) on the mound for Kutztown.

Mars Hill scored two runs in their first at-bat after Rogers scored on a sacrifice fly by Conley. Powers then scored off a Bear miscue.

The Bears tied the game at 2-all in the fourth frame on three hits highlighted by a solo homerun from Alec O'Dell. Kutztown took a 3-2 advantage in the fifth inning when Ben Eppley hit a homerun to right field.

The Lions put the game away in the sixth inning scoring four runs on five hits. Carroll's triple sent Merrill to the plate to tie the game and then Honeycutt's double plated Carroll for what would prove to be the game winning score. Jordan Hicks who pinch ran for Honeycutt crossed the plate on Williams' double to center field. Carolina hit a ball through the right side to drive in Williams and make final score 6-3 in favor of the Lions.

The teams will play another double-header tomorrow at Henderson Field. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.