Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the series opening doubleheader against the Erskine Flying Fleet on Friday. The Warriors claimed the first game in a 4-3 walk-off. They then dropped game two 10-0.
The Warriors picked up five hits in game one with Josh Long leading the team with three hits. Cam Mitchem had the remaining two hits. Jack Dennison and Marty Grisso had the lone RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked four times and Jarrett Whitley was hit by a pitch. The Warriors turned two double plays in the game. Gage Shaver started game one on the mound and pitched 6.2 innings while striking out four batters. Bryce Metts and Nick Gonsalves came in to pitch in relief.
Southern Wesleyan had five hits in game two of the day. Gage Shaver picked up two hits while Marty Grisso, Zachary Kim and Josh Long each had one hit. Shaver doubled in the game. Jaylen Morgan started game two on the mound and pitched three innings while striking out one. Four Warriors came in to pitch in relief. Landon Deese picked up the other strikeout in the game.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 4, Erskine 3
Game Two Final: Erskine 10, Southern Wesleyan 0
Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-20 / CC 5-8) Erskine (14-12 / CC 4-7)
How It Happened
Game One
Gage Shaver and Erskine's Joe Alegre went into a pitcher's dual until the top of the fourth inning when a sacrifice fly by Josh Hungler allowed Jorge Pascual to come in to score the first run of the game for the Flying Fleet.
The Warriors answered in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nolan Evatt led off the inning by reaching first on a nine pitch walk. Josh Long laid down a bunt single to allow Evatt to advance to second base, and then Jason Culley put down a sacrifice bunt to get both runners into scoring position. Jack Dennison came up to the plate and hit into a fielder's choice that brought Evatt in to score to allow the Warriors to tie the game. With runners on the corners, Marty Grisso put the ball into a play, but an error on the attempt to get Dennison out at second allowed both Josh Long and Dennison to come in to score to give Southern Wesleyan a 3-1 run advantage.
Erskine answered in the top of the seventh inning as they brought two runs in to score to tie the game up.
Southern Wesleyan fought back in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jarrett Whitley led off by reaching first after being hit by the third pitch he saw. With Luke Taylor pinch running for Whitley, Josh Long hit a single to right field to allow Taylor to advance to third. However, Long was taking off the bases while trying to advance to second base. With two outs, Jack Dennison put the ball in play to the short stop. However, the short stop misplayed the ball and Taylor was able to come in to score and give the Warriors the opening game victory over the Flying Fleet.
Game Two
Erskine struck early in game two as a wild pitch in the top of the first brought the first run of the game in to score.
The Flying Fleet continued to attack the plate as a home run by Mason McManus allowed Erskine to extend their lead to 3-0.
The Warriors fought back in the bottom of the fifth inning as back-to-back singles by Zachary Kim and Josh Long put two on base. However, Erskine was able to strike out the side to prevent Southern Wesleyan from cutting into their lead.
Erskine went on to plate seven more runs in the top of the seventh inning to win game two in a 10-0 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Erskine Flying Fleet on March 15 at 1pm. They will then host the Young Harris Mountain Lions on March 19 at 5pm. Southern Wesleyan will travel to Florence, SC on March 21-22 to take on the Francis Marion Patriots.
