Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the first two games of the series against the University of Mount Olive Trojans on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors fell 5-3 in game one before dropping game two in an 8-2 final score.
The Warriors picked up four hits in game one with Nolan Evatt leading the team with two hits. The other two hits came off the bats of Tristan Tillman and Jarrett Whitley. Whitley went on to have two of the three RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked five times and Evatt had the lone stolen base of the game. Gage Shaver started game one on the mound and pitched 5.2 innings while striking out three batters.
Southern Wesleyan recorded six hits in game two. Jarrett Whitley picked up his first home run of the season. Nolan Evatt and Whitley had the lone RBIs of the game. The Warriors walked three times, and both Jack Dennison and Marty Grisso had stolen bases. Jaylen Morgan started game two on the mound and pitched 4.1 innings. Mason Clark and Sam Scolamiero came in to pitch in relief. Clark struck out four batters while pitching 2.1 innings.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Mount Olive 5, Southern Wesleyan 3
Game Two Final: Mount Olive 8, Southern Wesleyan 2
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-12 / 1-4 CC) Mount Olive (9-4 / 4-1 CC)
How It Happened
Game One
The Trojans plated the first run of the game in the top of the second inning as a ground out by Mitta allowed Kenney to come in to score.
Mount Olive extended their lead with runs in the top of the third, fourth and seventh innings.
The Warriors brought one run in to score in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, Nolan Evatt reached first after being hit by a pitch and then stole second base. Back-to-back walks to Marty Grisso and Niko Laing loaded up the bases for Ethan Jarvis. Jarvis hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Evatt to come in to score the first run of the game for Southern Wesleyan.
Southern Wesleyan challenged again in the bottom of the ninth inning. Griffin Pickhardt reached first after being hit by a pitch and then advanced to second as Nolan Evatt hit a single to right field. Marty Grisso walked to load up the bases. With one out and the bases full of Warriors, Jarrett Whitley hit a single to left field to bring both Pickhardt and Evatt in to score. However, the Warriors dropped game one to the Trojans in a 5-3 final score.
Game Two
Mount Olive took the first run of the game in the top of the first inning as a sacrifice fly out by Howard allowed McLean to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game up. Jack Dennison led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to third base as Marty Grisso hit a single to right field. Grisso stole second to put both runners in scoring position and bring Nolan Evatt up to bat. Evatt hit a ground out to the short stop that allowed Dennison to come in to score.
The Trojans were not done as they scored again in the top of the fourth and fifth innings.
Jarrett Whitley came up to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning and sent the ball deep over the left field fence for his first home run of the season.
Mount Olive would not back down as they plated four more runs in the top of the seventh inning to win the game in an 8-2 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Trojans of Mount Olive on February 23 at 2pm. They will then host the Anderson Trojans on February 25 at 5pm. The Warriors will travel to Rome, GA on February 28 and March 1 to take on the Shorter Hawks.
