Lions fall in series opener versus Newberry
The Mars Hill baseball team (11-21, 3-13 SAC) was defeated by Newberry (16-16, 10-6 SAC) by a score of 1-0 to open their weekend series Friday afternoon at Henderson Field.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team (11-21, 3-13 SAC) was defeated by Newberry (16-16, 10-6 SAC) by a score of 1-0 to open their weekend series Friday afternoon at Henderson Field.
The teams were scoreless after seven innings with stellar pitching efforts by Brian Smart and Jake Wagoner for the Lions and Matias Marchesini for the Wolves. Newberry was able to break through in the top of the eighth.
Following Donovan Ford's two-out triple, a single up the middle off the bat of Luke Compton plated the game-winning run.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Lions had an opportunity to tie the game with a single off the bat of Chad Sikes, attempting to plate Donald Gorgei. Ford, from center field, lasered a throw to home plate to prevent the tying run.
Sikes, Paul Martin, Tai Gilbert, and Toby Troutman recorded the four Mars Hill hits on the day. Smart threw three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Wagoner struck out three in six innings, allowing three hits and one run.
Marchesini threw eight scoreless innings, striking out seven. Wyatt Carey closed out the contest with his third save of the year.
Mars Hill returns to Henderson Field on Saturday, March 30 to wrap up the series. The doubleheader is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.