Lions split, win series versus Queens

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Mars Hill baseball team (15-19, 4-13 SAC) split with Queens (9-23, 3-12 SAC) Saturday afternoon on the road, falling in game one by a score of 11-6, but taking game two in extra innings by a score of 5-3.

GAME ONE: QU 11, MHU 6

Queens scored four runs in the first to set the tone for game one, taking it by a score of 11-6.

Dominic Ford opened the scoring with a solo home run to right center field.  Following a fielder's choice that plated Noah Jones later in the inning, a throwing error allowed Anthony Orta to score.  Nick Brassington's RBI single plated Dudney for the fourth run of the inning.

After tacking on two more runs in the second, a three-run inning by the Royals extended their lead to 9-0 entering the fourth.  They would add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to push their lead to double-digits.

Mars Hill broke the shutout bid in the top of the seventh as Jordan Lathe scored on a passed ball.  The Lions scored five in the top of the ninth, highlighted by Jackson Leck's grand slam to pull within five.  The Royals, however, were able to stop Mars Hill's comeback bid.

Brassington led the Royals with two hits and two RBI.  Three other Royals recorded two hits on the day.  Leck's four RBI led all players while Austin Purser's three hits were a game-high.

Zach Kelly picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits in seven innings pitched.  Max Poole was credited with the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits in two innings pitched.

GAME TWO: MHU 5, QU 3

Mars Hill scored five unanswered runs to earn the split and series win over the Royals.

In the top of the sixth, a wild pitch allowed Brett Brubaker to break the shutout bit.  In the top of the seventh frame, the Lions two runs to force extra innings.  With the bases loaded, Adam Plouffe drew a walk that allowed Daniel Vitello to score.  A sacrifice fly from Gray McCurry plated Brubaker for his second run of the game, tying the game at three.

In the top of the eighth, a Queens' error allowed Cody Cline to reach first and advanced the base runners.  Devin Mangum rounded third on the error and scored the eventual game-winning run.  Jordan Lathe's sacrifice fly added an insurance run as the Lions completed the comeback.

After two scoreless innings, Queens struck twice in the third.  Anthony Orta's RBI single to left field plated Alex Sexton and advanced Noah Jones to third.  Jones later scored as Orta was picked off at second.

Chase Hager's RBI single in the top of the fourth extended the Royals' lead to three entering the fifth.

Orta led all players with three hits in the game.  McCurry led the Lions with two hits.

Connor Presnell picked up his first win of the season, allowing two hits in two innings pitched.  Daniel Bagwell was credited with the loss, giving up two runs on one hit in 1.2 innings pitched.

The Lions return to action on Tuesday, April 2^nd when they take on King in non-conference action.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.