Mars Hill downs UVa-Wise
The Mars Hill (12-20-1) baseball team defeated the UVa-Wise Cavaliers (10-16) by a score of 12-8 in non-conference play at Henderson Field Tuesday afternoon.
MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill (12-20-1) baseball team defeated the UVa-Wise Cavaliers (10-16) by a score of 12-8 in non-conference play at Henderson Field Tuesday afternoon.
The Cavaliers plated two in the opening frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Brock Smith singled through the left side of the infield, scoring two runners. Mars Hill cut the lead in half later in the inning. With runners on first and third and no outs, Matt Honeycutt grounded out into a double play, but Cody Cline was able to cross home for the Lions' first run of the game.
Mars Hill's explosive offense took center stage in the second inning, scoring eight runs.
Daniel Vitello led off the frame with a double into left-centerfield and was driven home by an RBI single from Cline. A throwing error on the play allowed Cline to advance to third and on the first pitch to Brett Brubaker, he scooted in to give Mars Hill the 3-2 lead.
Christian Stampler added another run to the board with a RBI single to left field, plating Brubaker. With runners on second and third, Josh Hall's double up the leftfield line scored Matt Honeycutt and Stampler to give the Lions a 6-2 lead. As Hall stole third, another Cavaliers' error allowed him to come in for the Lions' seventh run of the game. Vitello's second at-bat of the inning scored another two runs with a single through the right side.
Putting the Lions in double-digits in the bottom of the fourth, Hall dropped a double into right field to score Brubaker.
In the top of the sixth, UVa-Wise dug into the Mars Hill lead by scoring three runs. With the bases loaded, a catcher interference call followed by a walk allowed the Cavaliers to narrow the deficit to six runs. A fielder's choice cut the Mars Hill lead in half, entering the bottom of the inning trailing 10-5.
Vitello drove in another two runs for the Lions with a two-out triple in the bottom of the seventh to give Mars Hill a 12-5 lead heading into the eighth.
The Cavaliers put together a comeback bid in the top of the ninth, reeling off three runs before any outs were made. A walk with the bases loaded followed by a two-RBI double from David Thomas cut the Mars Hill lead down to 12-8. The threat was stopped as Jordon Turner hit into a 6-4-3 triple play.
Vitello led all players offensively, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. Smith had a team-high three RBI for the Cavaliers.
Kaleb McCurry earns the win, allowing three runs on two hits. Clay Naff suffered the loss, giving up seven runs on five hits in two innings pitched.
Mars Hill returns to action with a doubleheader against Piedmont International at Henderson Field on Wednesday, April 4. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
