Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Erskine Flying Fleet in the opening game of the series in an 11-10 final score on Thursday afternoon.
The Warriors picked up 12 hits in the victory. Marty Grisso had a double. Cam Mitchem led the team with three RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked four times and stole seven bases. Grisso led the team with three stolen bases. After Grisso, Clay Porter had two steals, and Jason Culley and Griffin Pickhardt had one steal.
Nick Vollmert started on the mound for the Warriors and pitched six innings while striking out three batters. Bryce Metts, Ash Faulk and Jackson Turner all came in to pitch in relief. Faulk struck out two over 1.1 innings pitched to pick up the win. Turner gained the save.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 11, Erskine 10
Records: Southern Wesleyan (5-15 / CC 3-7) Erskine (8-13 / CC 1-5)
How It Happened
The Warriors took the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. Jason Culley walked and then advanced all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt. With one out, Cam Mitchem hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Culley to come in to score to give the Warriors the lead.
Erskine took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a double to left center field by Maskin to bring two runs in to score.
The lead was short lived as Southern Wesleyan struck again in the top of the third inning. Travis Hammond led off the inning with a single to third base and then advanced to second when Jason Culley hit a single to the pitcher. With two on, Marty Grisso hit a single to third base and then advanced to second on an error by the third baseman. On the error both Hammond and Culley came in to score. Grisso then stole third to put him in scoring position. Cam Mitchem hit a single to left field to bring Grisso in to score and give the Warriors a 4-2 run lead.
A single by Francis allowed Erskine to cut Southern Wesleyan's lead down to one run.
The Warriors took a three run lead in the top of the fourth inning. Clay Porter led off by hitting a single through the left side. With one out, Griffin Pickhardt hit a single that allowed Porter to advance to second. Steals by both Porter and Pickhardt put two runners in scoring position. A balk brought Porter in to score and put Pickhardt on third. The Warriors took a 6-3 run lead as a passed ball allowed Pickhard to come in for the sixth run of the game for Southern Wesleyan.
In the bottom of the fourth inning with two runners on, Smith grounded out to the shortstop to bring Maskin in and put the Flying Fleet down 6-4.
Southern Wesleyan pushed on as with two outs Zachary Kim hit a single to second base. Clay Porter followed by hitting a single through the left side. Josh Long hit a single to right field to load up the bases. However, an error on the throw allowed Kim to come in to score to put the Warriors ahead 7-4.
The Flying Fleet would not relent as a double by Littrell allowed Gonzalez to come in to score.
The Warriors would not back down as they scored two more runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Jason Culley hit a single to third base and then advanced to third base when Marty Grisso reached on an error. Grisso stole second base. However, an error on the attempt to catch the steal allowed Grisso to advance to third and brought Culley in to score. Cam Mitchem grounded out to bring Grisso in to score.
Erskine fought back as they scored one run in the bottom of the seventh inning and then brought three more runs in to score in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game up at nine runs apiece.
Southern Wesleyan regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Luke Staton reached on a walk and then advanced to second when Clay Porter took first base on an error by the pitcher. Josh Long laid down a sac bunt to advance both runners ninety feet. Griffin Pickhardt struck out swinging, but a wild pitch on the out allowed Staton to come in to score. With two out and Porter on third, Travis Hammond singled to third base to bring Porter in to score to give the Warriors an 11-9 lead.
Erskine challenged in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Southern Wesleyan claimed the first game of the series in an 11-10 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Erskine Flying Fleet in Due West, SC on March 8. They will return to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on March 12 to host the Mars Hill Lions at 5pm. They will then travel to Greenville, SC on March 13 to take on the Limestone Saints.
