Mars Hill splits Sunday set with No. 23 Wingate
The Mars Hill baseball team (3-13, 1-2 SAC) split their Sunday doubleheader versus No. 23 Wingate (11-4, 2-1 SAC), dropping game one by a score of 7-3 and winning game two by a score of 6-1.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team (3-13, 1-2 SAC) split their Sunday doubleheader versus No. 23 Wingate (11-4, 2-1 SAC), dropping game one by a score of 7-3 and winning game two by a score of 6-1.
GAME ONE: WU 7, MHU 3
Wingate scored five unanswered runs, including four in the eighth, to come from behind and claim the series win over Mars Hill.
Trailing 3-2 after seven innings, a Brett Adams' solo home run tied the game for Wingate in the top of the eighth. Carson Simpson's fielder's choice allowed Mitch Farris to score the eventual game-winning run. Andrew Motsinger's RBI single extended the lead to two and later in the frame, a Lions' wild pitch allowed Simpson to come home for the fourth run of the inning.
The Bulldogs added another insurance run in the top of the ninth to secure the win.
The contest was tied at one after one off of Adams and Trey Putnam RBI singles for their respective teams. After four scoreless innings, Dawson Connell gave the Lions their first lead of the game with a solo home run over the center field fence.
After the Bulldogs tied the game at two in the top of the seventh, the Lions answered back as Putnam collected his second RBI of the game with a single to center that scored Jordan Lathe for his second run of the game.
Adams, Michael Dansky, and Isaiah Williams-Rhem led the Bulldogs with two hits apiece. Lathe led all players with three hits while Putnam, Connell, and Chad Sikes posted two hits apiece.
Corey Avant picked up the win, striking out seven and allowing one run on three hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
GAME TWO: MHU 6, WU 1
A five-run sixth inning propelled the Lions to their first SAC win of the season, splitting the Sunday set.
In the bottom of the sixth with two runners on, Zach Weaver blasted a ball over the left field fence to put the Lions up 4-1 with the three-run shot. Later in the frame, Luke Hayes' double down the left field line scored Dawson Connell and Donald Gorgei to put the Lions up by five.
Trevor Bailey opened the scoring in the bottom of the third with a solo home run to right center.
In the top of the fourth, Carson Simpson tied the game at one with a RBI single through the right side, scoring Andrew McKay.
Trey Putnam led all players with two hits in the game.
Josh Dotson was credited with the loss, allowing three runs on two hits. Jake Wagoner earned the win, throwing two hitless innings while striking out two. Dustin Revins threw five innings in the start, striking out five and allowing just one run on five hits.
The Lions return to the diamond on Tuesday, February 28 when they face No. 1 North Greenville. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the road.
