Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the final two games of the series against the Barton Bulldogs on Saturday. The Warriors claimed game one 3-2 before falling in extra innings in game two in a 9-6 final score.
The Warriors picked up seven hits in game one with Marty Grisso leading the team with two hits. Both Josh Long and Cam Mitchem had RBIs in the game. Jason Culley was the lone Warrior to walk. Gage Shaver pitched a complete game on the mound and struck out five batters to pick up his first win of the 2025 season.
Southern Wesleyan picked up 12 hits in game two of the day. Cam Mitchem picked up two hits in the form of a double and a home run. He went on to lead the team with four RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked six times and both Nolan Evatt and Josh Long were hit by pitches. Lukas Arvantides started the second game on the mound and pitched five innings while striking out three batters. Five Warriors came in to pitch in relief. Nick Gonsalves struck out two in one inning of work.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 3, Barton 2
Game Two Final: Barton 9, Southern Wesleyan 6
Records: Southern Wesleyan (8-27 / CC 7-14) Barton (22-12 / CC 14-7)
How It Happened
Game One
The Bulldogs struck quickly in the game as they brought two runs in to score in the top of the first inning.
Southern Wesleyan continued to fight as they plated their first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Jack Dennison hit a single to left field. Gavin Mitchell followed by hitting a single to right field to allow Dennison to advance to second base. With two on and two out, Nolan Evatt reached on an error by the Bulldogs' pitcher that allowed Dennison to come in to score.
The Warriors took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Jason Culley led off by reaching on a walk. Nolan Evatt put the ball into play and reached base on an error by the Bulldogs that also allowed Culley to advance to third. With two runners in scoring position, Josh Long hit a single through the left side of the infield to allow Culley to come in to score and tie the game up. Cam Mitchem hit the ball to center field for a sacrifice fly that brought Evatt across home plate to give the Warriors a 3-2 run lead.
Barton challenged in the sixth and seventh innings, but Gage Shaver and the Warriors' defense prevented the Bulldogs from taking the lead. The Warriors went on to claim game one in a 3-2 run final.
Game Two
The Warriors came out swinging in game two as they brought their first run in to score in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Josh Long walked. Cam Mitchem then hit a double to deep center field that allowed Long to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan extended on their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nolan Evatt led off the inning by reaching on a six pitch walk, and then Josh Long was hit by a pitch. With two on and one out, Cam Mitchem sent the ball over the fence for a three run home run to extend the Warriors lead to 4-0.
However, Barton countered in the top of the sixth as doubles by Sauri and Waddell, and a triple by Gilmore allowed four runs to come in to score to tie the game up.
The Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Jason Culley hit a single to center field and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Nolan Evatt knocked a single to center field to bring Culley in to score and put the Warriors back on top.
The lead was shot lived as a ground out by Diaz allowed the Bulldogs to bring Holland in to score to tie the game up once again.
Barton took the lead in the top of the eighth inning, but the Warriors answered in the bottom of the inning to tie the game up once again. With two outs, Nolan Evatt hit a single to center field and then advanced to second base on a passed ball. Josh Long hit a single to right field to bring Evatt in to score.
With the game in extra innings, the Warriors and the Bulldogs continued to battle it out. Barton would not relent as they scored three in the top of the 11th inning to win the game in a 9-6 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will host the Georgia College Bobcats on April 2. They will then travel to Wingate, NC to take on the Wingate Bulldogs on April 4-5. The Warriors will remain on the road on April 8 as they travel to Mars Hill, NC to take on the Mars Hill Lions.
