Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the final two games of the series against the Emory & Henry Wasps on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors claimed the first game in a 2-1 final. However, the Wasps were able to pass the Warriors in game two to take a 9-3 final score victory.
The Warriors collected seven hits in game two with
Noah Wiggins leading the team with two.
Justin Purdom picked up extra bases as he doubled. Both
Marty Grisso and
Jackson Mix recorded the lone RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked five times with
Blayze Haddock leading the team with two. Both Haddock and Grisso stole bases.
Cord Babcock started the second game of the series and struck out two batters over four innings pitched.
Ash Faulk came in to finish out the game on the mound and pick up the save.
Southern Wesleyan picked up eight hits in game two. Freshman
Josh Long led the team with three hits while
Noah Wiggins followed with two. Wiggins doubled. The lone RBI came off the bat of Long. The Warriors walked three times during the game.
Jacob Webb started game two. The Warriors struck out seven batters during the game with
Andrew Patterson,
Josh Fenton and
Jacob Hamby all striking out two.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 2, Emory & Henry 1
Game Two Final: Emory & Henry 9, Southern Wesleyan 3
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-1) Emory & Henry (1-2)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first inning.
Blayze Haddock reached base first on a walk and then advanced to second as
Cam Mitchem walked. Haddock then stole third base. However, Mitchem was caught stealing to take one runner off the bases. With one out and Haddock in scoring position,
Marty Grisso singled up the middle to bring in the first run of the day for the Warriors.
The Warriors struck again in the bottom of the second inning.
Justin Purdom led off with a double to left center. With one out,
Jackson Mix singled to left field to bring Purdom across home plate to extend the Warriors lead to 2-0.
Emory & Henry countered in the top of the seventh inning as Jared Foley hit a sacrifice fly to
Marty Grisso in left field that allowed Matt Hill to come in to score. However,
Ash Faulk and the Warriors defense stood strong to keep any more runs from coming in and give the Warriors the 2-1 run victory.
Game Two
Emory & Henry attacked quickly in the second game of the afternoon as they plated three runs in the top of the first inning. They extended their lead by two as they plated runs in the top of the second and fourth innings.
The Warriors were able to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Marcerio Allen led off with a walk and then advanced to second on a single by
Tyler Jackson.
Josh Long followed with a single to left field that brought Allen in to put the Warriors down 5-1. A sacrifice bunt by
Jackson Mix advanced each of the runners by ninety feet. A fielding error by the shortstop allowed
Dawson Gilstrap to reach first and then brought both Long and Jackson in to score to put the Warriors back within two runs of the Wasps.
However, the Wasps continued to attack the plate as they scored runs in the top of the fifth and seventh innings to win the game in a 9-3 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will travel to Anderson, SC to take on the Anderson Trojans on February 7 at 4 p.m. The Coker Cobras will travel to Central, SC on February 10 to take on the Warriors at 2 and 5 p.m. The Warriors will then wrap up the series against the Cobras in Hartsville, SC at 4 p.m. on February 11. They will then travel to Newberry, SC on February 15 at 6 p.m. to take on the Newberry Wolves.
