Gaffney, SC – Southern Wesleyan held onto the lead to claim a 12-10 run victory over the Limestone Saints on Wednesday evening.
The Warriors totaled 14 hits in the victory over the Saints. Both Josh Long and Travis Hammond went 4-5 on the afternoon. Noah Wiggins doubled. Hammond led the team with four of the 11 RBIs. The Warriors walked five times, and both Luke Staton and Hammond stole bases.
Josh Fenton started the game on the mound and pitched two innings while striking out three batters. Six pitchers came in to pitch in relief. Ash Falk, Jackson Turner and Aidan Evans each struck out two batters. Andrew Patterson picked up the win after pitching two innings of relief for the Warriors.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 12, Limestone 10
Records: Southern Wesleyan (13-26) Limestone (15-25)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan took the first runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Tyler Jackson led off by reaching first on a single to second base. Josh Long followed with a single through the right side that allowed Jackson to advance to second. A sacrifice bunt ground out by Jacob Hamby advanced both runners ninety feet. With two in scoring position, an error by the shortstop allowed Luke Staton to reach, and brought Jackson in to score. Travis Hammond then singled to right field to score Long and put the Warriors on top 2-0.
Limestone countered to tie the game up in the bottom of the inning off a single and throwing error.
The tie was short lived as the Warriors fought to regain the lead in the top of the third inning. Noah Wiggins led off with a single to short stop and then advanced to second base on a single by Cam Mitchem. Justin Purdom knocked down a single through the right side to advance Mitchem to second and allow Wiggins to come in to score. With one out, Josh Long singled to load up the bases. Jacob Hamby hit into a fielder's choice that allowed both Purdom and Mitchem to score and put Southern Wesleyan ahead 5-2.
Southern Wesleyan extended their lead to five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Travis Hammond led off with a single up the middle and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jackson Mix. Noah Wiggins drilled the ball to left field for a double that scored Hammond. Wiggins went on to advance to third base on a wild pitch. Cam Mitchem hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field, allowing Wiggins to score on the play.
The Saints brought one run in to score in the bottom of the fourth inning to put them back within four runs of the Warriors.
The Warriors were not done as they attacked again in the top of the seventh. With one out, Josh Long singled through the left side. Jacob Hamby reached after being hit by a pitch, and then Luke Staton walked to load up the bases. With the bases full of Warriors, Travis Hammond singled to left field to bring both Hamby and Long across home plate. A walk to Noah Wiggins loaded up the bases once again. With two outs and the bases loaded, Cam Mitchem was hit by a pitch to bring in the tenth run of the game for the Warriors.
Limestone fought back as they cut the Warriors lead in half in the bottom of the seventh inning.
However, the Warriors continued to battle in the top of the eight. Tyler Jackson led off with a walk and then advanced to second on a single to left field by Josh Long. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance ninety feet. With one out, Luke Staton hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Jackson to score, but took Long off the bases. Staton then stole second to put him in scoring position. A single to left field by Travis Hammond allowed Southern Wesleyan to take a 12-5 run lead as Staton came in to score.
The Saints challenged the Warriors in the bottom of the ninth inning as they brought five runs in to score, however, Aidan Evans struck out the final batters to keep Limestone from taking the victory. The Warriors went on to win the game in a 12-10 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return to Central, SC on April 15 as they host the University of Mount Olive Trojans in a double header beginning at noon. Senior day festivities will take place at 11:30 am prior to the first pitch of the game. The Warriors will then wrap up the series against the Trojans on April 16 at 2 p.m. Southern Wesleyan will then travel to Aiken, SC on April 19 to take on the USC Aiken Pacers. They will continue Conference Carolinas action on April 21 and 22 as they host the Erskine Flying Fleet on Dr. C Keith Connor Field. The Warriors will host their annual Military Appreciation game on April 22.
