Lions blow by Tornado in non-conference action
The Mars Hill baseball team (16-19) defeated King (11-19) by a score of 12-7 on the road Tuesday afternoon in non-conference play.
BRISTOL, Tenn. - The Mars Hill baseball team (16-19) defeated King (11-19) by a score of 12-7 on the road Tuesday afternoon in non-conference play.
Fueled by a seven-run sixth inning, the Lions blew by the Tornado to pick up the win. With the bases loaded, Adam Plouffe's two-run double opened the scoring to break the 3-3 tie. Jordan Lathe followed up with a two-run single through the left side to extend the Lions' lead to four. With the bases still loaded, Paul Martin's RBI single scored Kameron Reynolds and Austin Purser plated the ninth Mars Hill run, drawing a walk. Scottie Lee's sacrfice fly scored Daniel Vitello to cap off the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Torando began to form a comeback, scoring four runs. Tony Valdes opened the scoring with a solo home run down the left field line. A RBI double from David Carnicella plated Kevin Barbato to pull within five. Following a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, the Torando entered the ninth frame trailing by three.
Once again with the bases loaded, a Mars Hill walk scored another run to extend to lead back to four. Purser's sacrfice fly plated the final run of the contest.
Matt Honeycutt's sacrifice fly scored the first run of the contest in the first inning, giving Mars Hill the early 1-0 lead. Triples from Austin Treadway and Plouffe scored the final two runs of the frame for the Lions.
After Barbato's RBI double in the first cut the deficit to two, the Tornado knotted the game at three off of River Laskey's RBI single and a fielder's choice from Carnicella.
Treadway led all players with four hits on the day while Plouffe led all players with three RBI.
Colt Fowler was credited with the loss, giving up three runs. Cameron Howell earned his fourth win of the season, allowing four runs on two hits in four innings pitched, while striking out four.
The Lions host Lenoir-Rhyne in a return to South Atlantic Conference play at Henderson Field on Friday, April 5th. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
