Hickory, NC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the first game of the series against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in a 12-4 final score on Friday evening.
The Warriors picked up six hits in the game.
Marcerio Allen and
Tyler Jackson each collected two hits Allen picked up his first home run of the season. Southern Wesleyan walked three times.
Chance Fogel led the team with two stolen bases. Fogel was followed by both Allen and
Tyler Jackson with solo stolen bases.
Steven Mufareh started on the mound for the Warriors. He struck out three batters of 3.2 innings pitched. Four pitchers followed him on the mound. Both
Christian Cassidy and
Josiah Sizemore struck out two batters.
Game Vitals
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Southern Wesleyan 4
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-6) Lenoir-Rhyne (8-3)
How It Happened
The Warriors took the first run of the opening game against the Bears. With one out,
Tyler Jackson singled down the right field line. A walk to
Jackson Mix allowed Jackson to advance to second. Both Mix and Jackson advanced ninety feet on a passed ball. With both runners in scoring position,
Dawson Gilstrap grounded out to the Bears' shortstop to allow Jackson to come in to score to give the Warriors a 1-0 run lead.
However, the lead was short lived as the Bears brought in a run of their own in the bottom of the second inning. Lenoir-Rhyne struck again in the bottom of the third inning as a home run off the bat of Stanford brought in two more runs.
Marcerio Allen led off the top of the fourth inning with a home run over the right field wall to allow the Warriors to come within one run of the Bears.
Lenoir-Rhyne would not relent their attacks at the plate as six runs were brought home in the bottom of the fourth inning to give them a 9-2 run lead.
Southern Wesleyan challenged in the top of the eighth inning.
Chance Fogel led off with a single through the left side. Fogel then stole both second and third bases.
Travis Hammond walked to put runners at the corners.
Josh Long grounded out to second base, but Fogel was able to come in to score on the play. With two outs,
Cam Mitchem singled to center field to bring Hammond in to score.
However, the Bears brought three more runs in to score in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the first game of the series in a 12-4 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain in Hickory, NC on February 18 to take on the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne at 1 and 4 p.m. They will return to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on February 22 to host the Limestone Saints at 3 p.m. The Warriors will open up Conference Carolinas action on February 24 and 25 as they host the Chowan Hawks. They will remain at home on March 1 to take on the USC Aiken Pacers at 3 p.m.
