Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan rallied in the sixth inning verses Lander, but fell to the Bearcats in a 16-10 final in the end.
The Warriors totaled eight hits in the loss with two players having two hits. Gage Shaver, Cam Mitchem and Zachary Kim each had doubles. Kim had three RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked eight times and Clay Porter stole a base.
Kyle Dixon started the mid-week contest on the mound and pitched 2.2 innings while striking out two batters. Seven Warriors pitched in relief. Jack Dennison and Ash Faulk each had strikeouts to their name.
Game Vitals
Final: Lander 16, Southern Wesleyan 10
Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-34) Lander (28-11)
How It Happened
Lander scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning off a single by Zohn.
The Warriors countered in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Travis Hammond walked and then came in to score when Gage Shaver hit a double to left center field.
The Bearcats regained their lead in the top of the fifth inning as doubles by Wilder, Garrett and Kobis allowed them to bring six runs across the plate to take a 7-1 run lead.
They would not relent as Manriquez hit a two run home run over the right center field fence in the top of the sixth inning.
Southern Wesleyan came back within two runs of Lander in the bottom of the sixth inning. Travis Hammond reached first after being hit by a pitch. Hammond advanced to second off a single by freshman Gage Shaver. Marty Grisso grounded out, but Shaver was able to score on the play. Jarrett Whitley was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. A double to left center field by Zachary Kim allowed both Whitley and Mitchem to cross home plate and put Southern Wesleyan down 9-5. With two outs, Clay Porter hit a single to shortstop that brought Kim home. Porter then stole second base to get into scoring position. A two out single by Derek Francis allowed Porter to come in to put the Warriors back within two runs of the Bearcats.
Lander was not done as they brought seven runs in to score in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Warriors challenged in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cam Mitchem walked and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Back-to-back walks to Marty Grisso and Jarrett Whitley loaded up the bases for Zachary Kim. The Bearcats walked Kim to bring Mitchem in to score. Chase Gribble came in to pinch hit and hit into a fielder's choice that took Kim off the bases, but brought Grisso acrosse home plate. A ground out by Clay Porter scored another run for the Warriors. However, the Warriors fell to Lander in a 16-10 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on April 12-13 as they host the Young Harris Mountain Lions. The April 13th doubleheader against the Mountain Lions will also be Southern Wesleyan's annual Military Appreciation Game with special ceremonies set to begin at 12:15pm. The Warriors will travel to Mars Hill, NC on April 16 to take on the Lions of Mars Hill.
