March 15, 2025

MHU wins SAC series over Newberry

The Lions took games one and three this weekend to win the series.

Game 2

Mars Hill

8-19, 2-9

Newberry

14-12, 5-9

TOP 8

Mars Hill

Newberry

Game 1

Mars Hill

7-18, 2-8

Newberry

13-12, 4-9

TOP 9

Mars Hill

Newberry

Mars Hill

7-18, 2-8

Newberry

13-12, 4-9

BOT 9

Mars Hill

Newberry

NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team (8-19, 3-9 SAC) defeated Newberry (14-12, 5-9 SAC) in games one and three of their three-game series this weekend, taking game one by a score of 5-4 and three by a score of 3-2.

GAME ONE: MHU 5, NBY 4

The game began with Mars Hill taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Terick Bumgarner singled to left field, driving in Elec Yount. Trailing 2-1 entering the fifth, Mars Hill tied the contest when Peyton Starkey hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Dawson Anderson to score.

After several quiet innings, Mars Hill exploded in the ninth inning, scoring three runs to take a 5-2 lead. Chapel Matson delivered a clutch two-RBI double, scoring Walker Fox and Max LaLime, and Starkey followed with an RBI single to score Matson.

Key performers for Mars Hill included Chapel Matson, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double, and Peyton Starkey, who drove in two runs, including a sacrifice fly. Bumgarner also contributed with an RBI single and a walk.

On the mound, Dylan Vega pitched six solid innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out three, while David Ziolkowski earned the win and JD Lewis picked up the save.

GAME TWO: NBY 13, MHU 6

The game began with Mars Hill taking a brief 1-0 lead in the first inning after Terick Bumgarner doubled down the left-field line to bring in Walker Fox. However, Newberry quickly responded in the second inning, capitalizing on two Mars Hill errors. Jonathan Velez scored on an error, and a second error allowed Logan Busenlehner to reach base, bringing in another unearned run. Newberry took the lead 2-1 and extended it to 5-1 by the third inning, when Velez hit a two-RBI single. The Wolves added to their lead in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly from Kade Faircloth that scored Carson Hayes, and by the fifth inning, Newberry had a commanding 9-1 lead.

Mars Hill cut into the lead in the eighth inning when Max LaLime singled to score Peyton Starkey and Jackson Jones hit a grand slam, narrowing the gap to 9-6. However, Newberry put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth. Jayden Carnahan and Zane McLendon both walked with the bases loaded, bringing in runs. Carson Hayes followed with a two-RBI single to extend Newberry's lead to 13-6, which they would hold on to for the win.

For Mars Hill, Jones was the standout performer, hitting a grand slam and finishing with four RBIs. Bumgarner and LaLime also contributed with RBIs, but the Lions' offense couldn't overcome the early deficit.

GAME THREE: MHU 3, NBY 2

The Lions closed out the series with a 3-2 win in game three of the South Atlantic Conference series.

Tied at one entering the seventh, the Lions plated two to clinch the series. Early in the inning, Walker Fox plated Max LaLime with a RBI triple to right center. Chapel Matson put the Lions up by two with a single to right, scoring Fox.

Mars Hill trailed 1-0 through three innings. Peyton Starkey tied the game at one in the top of the fourth with a single up the middle that plated Matson.

Matson and Fox led all players with three hits apiece. Brennan Williams won his third game of the season, striking out six for the complete game victory.

Mars Hill returns to Henderson Field on Tuesday, March 17 when they host King in non-conference play. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Game 1 BB 
 

Michael, Ji'Lil M

To:

Sat 3/15/2025 3:42 PM

In a tightly contested matchup, the Mars Hill Lions rallied late to defeat the Newberry Wolves 5-4 on Friday evening in Newberry, South Carolina. The game began with Mars Hill taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning when Terick Bumgarner singled to left field, driving in Elec Yount. However, Newberry responded in the 3rd inning, taking a 2-1 lead as B. Nuckols doubled to bring in C. Hayes, followed by a groundout from K. Faircloth to score Nuckols. Mars Hill tied it in the 5th inning when Peyton Starkey hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Dawson Anderson to score and make it 2-2. After several quiet innings, Mars Hill exploded in the 9th inning, scoring three runs to take a 5-2 lead. Chapel Matson delivered a clutch two-RBI double, scoring Walker Fox and Max LaLime, and Starkey followed with an RBI single to score Matson. Newberry mounted a late rally in the bottom of the 9th, with C. Hayes' fielder's choice driving in C. Vega and B. Nuckols' single bringing in another run to cut the lead to 5-4, but Mars Hill held on for the win.

Key performers for Mars Hill included Chapel Matson, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double, and Peyton Starkey, who drove in two runs, including a sacrifice fly. Terick Bumgarner also contributed with an RBI single and a walk. On the mound, Dylan Vega pitched six solid innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out three, while David Ziolkowski earned the win and JD Lewis picked up the save. For Newberry, B. Nuckols had a standout performance, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while C. Hayes and J. Free both had solid at-bats. Despite the late push, Newberry fell short, and Mars Hill secured a 5-4 victory. The win improves Mars Hill's record to 7-18 overall and 2-8 in conference play, while Newberry drops to 13-12 overall and 4-9 in the league.