Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell in extra innings to the Mars Hill Lions in a 10-9 final score.
The Warriors had nine hits in the game with both Gage Shaver and Griffin Pickhardt leading the team with two hits apiece. Cam Mitchem had his first home run of the season, and Gage Shaver had a triple. Tristan Tillman, Shaver, Pickhardt, Marty Grisso and Niko Laing each doubled. Mitchem and Grisso each had two RBIs. The Warriors walked 11 times and had eight stolen bases. Tillman led the team with four stolen bases.
Kamden Mongan started the mid-week contest and pitched three innings while striking out three batters. Six Warriors came in to pitch in relief. Mason Clark struck out three batters in relief. Zachary Kim, Gehrig Schreiber and Landon Deese each struck out two.
Game Vitals
Final: Mars Hill 10, Southern Wesleyan 9
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-10) Mars Hill (4-9)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan started quickly in the game as they brought a run in to score in the bottom of the first inning. Tristan Tillman was hit by a pitch before stealing second base and then advancing to third on a balk. With one out, Gage Shaver hit a sacrifice fly out to left field to bring Tillman in to score to give the Warriors the lead.
Mars Hill countered in the top of the second inning as Matson stole home to tie the game up.
The Warriors pressed on in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Vincent Angle walked and then Niko Laing was hit by a pitch to put two on. Tristan Tillman hit a double to left field to bring Angle in to score to allow the Warriors to regain the lead.
The Lions tied the game back up in the top of the third inning as a ground out by Yount allowed Troutman to come in to score.
The tie was short lived as Southern Wesleyan went on the offensive again in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Marty Grisso reached on error by the second baseman and then advanced to second on the play. Grisso stole third to put him in scoring position. A passed ball allowed Grisso to come in to score.
The Warriors continued to attack the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Tristan Tillman was hit by a pitch and then stole both second and third base to get in scoring position. Cam Mitchem sent the ball over the left field wall for a home run to extend the Warriors lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Warriors brought another run in to score. With one out, Vincent Angle walked. Niko Laing hit a double to right field to bring Angle in to score.
The Lions cut Southern Wesleyan's lead in half in the top of the sixth inning as a passed ball allowed Spaes to come in to score. They continued to challenge in the top of the seventh inning as Troutman hit a home run to left center.
Southern Wesleyan continued to put up a fight as they brought two more runs in to score in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cam Mitchem led off the inning with a walk. With Ethan Jarvis pinch running for Mitchem, Gage Shaver walked. Jason Culley laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed both runners to advance and then Jack Dennison was intentionally walked to load up the bases as Marty Grisso came up to bat. Grisso doubled to left field to bring both Jarvis and Shaver in to score.
Mars Hill would not back as they brought four runs in to score in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game up.
The Lions took the lead in the top of the tenth inning as a sacrifice fly out by Jones allowed LaLime to score.
Southern Wesleyan fought back in the bottom of the tenth inning. Gage Shaver led off by drilling the ball to center field for a triple. Jason Culley walked to put runners on the corners to bring Jack Dennison up to bat. Dennison hit the ball through the right side of the field for a single that brought Shaver in to score and tie the game up.
However, Mars Hill pushed ahead as a single by LaLime brought in Potts to give the Lions a 10-9 run victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will welcome the University of Mount Olive Trojans to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on February 21-22. They will then host the Anderson Trojans on February 25. The Warriors will travel down to Rome, GA on February 28 and March 1 to take on the Shorter Hawks.
