Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan shut down the Young Harris Mountain Lions in a 11-9 final on Wednesday evening.

The Warriors posted 12 hits in the victory over the Mountain Lions.  Quinton Bent led the team with three hits.  He was followed by Izzy Martinez, Julio Justo and Steven Perez with two hits apiece.  Julio Justo doubled, and Quinton Bent, Justo and Noah Fritz each homered during the game.  Four Warriors walked, Jesse Getford had a sacrifice fly and Fritz had a stolen base.

Tyler Rio started the game for the Warriors.  Rio went two innings and struck out four batters while allowing three hits.  Mike Batten, Tyler Parry, Vinny Adams, Kyle Cook-McCrary, Daniel Singleton and Josh Core all came in to pitch for relief.  Cook-McCrary tied Rio in strikeouts with four.  He was followed by Josh Core with three strikeouts.  Adams recorded the win for the Warriors.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 11, Young Harris 9

Records: Southern Wesleyan (15-27) Young Harris (21-18)

How It Happened

Southern Wesleyan struck first on a deep home run to left field by Quinton Bent.  The Mountain Lions countered in the top of the second to tie the game.

The Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the second with a home run by Julio Justo to left center field.  Jesse Getford followed with a single to left center and then advanced when Devin Patrick grounded out.  A passed ball moved Getford to third base.  Steven Perez singled to left center to bring Getford in to put the Warriors up 3-1.

The Mountain Lions rallied back to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the third inning.  The Warriors continued to pressure the Mountain Lions as Noah Fritz hit his third home run of the season to put Southern Wesleyan down 5-4.

Southern Wesleyan pushed ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Quinton Bent led off with a single to right field and then advanced to second when Trey Matthews singled through the right side.  With two on, Julio Justo doubled to bring Bent in.  A sacrifice fly by Jesse Getford brought Matthews in to tie the game 6-6.  A single by Steven Perez put runners on the corners and then Noah Fritz was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  With the bases full of Warriors, back to back walks to John Garrett and Izzy Martinez brought two runs in to score.  With the bases loaded, Bent singled through the left side to bring Garrett and Fritz in and give Southern Wesleyan a 10-6 run advantage.

The Warriors continued to distance themselves from the Mountain Lions.  Noah Fritz reached first on an error and then stole second base.  With two outs, Izzy Martinez singled to short stop to bring Fritz in and put the Warriors up 11-7.  Southern Wesleyan won the game in an 11-9 final.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will host Toccoa Falls on April 13 and 14 in their final home series of the 2018 season.  The Warriors will honor their seniors on April 13 and then will host the annual Daniel's Day on April 14.  Southern Wesleyan will then travel to Young Harris on April 17.  They will then play their final series at Emmanuel on April 20 and 21.