Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Lions of Emmanuel University in the series opener in a 11-7 final score on Friday evening.
The Warriors totaled 15 hits in the game. Nolan Evatt led the team by going 4-for-3 at the plate and recording four RBIs. Two of Evatt's hits came in the form of a home run and a double. Samuel Simonds (2), Cam Mitchem and Jarrett Whitley also doubled in the game. Evatt was the lone Warrior to pick up a walk, and both Marty Grisso and Griffin Pickhardt stole bases. The Warriors were able to turn two double plays in the series opener.
Lukas Arvantides started the game on the mound for Southern Wesleyan. Arvantides pitched 1.1 innings and struck out one batter. Bryce Metts came in to relieve Arvantides and pitched 5.2 innings while striking out five. Landon Deese had the only other strikeout of the game for the Warriors.
Game Vitals
Final: Emmaneul 11, Southern Wesleyan 7
Records: Southern Wesleyan (9-36 / CC 8-17) Emmanuel (22-22 / CC 11-14)
How It Happened
The Lions went on the attack early as a singles by Beall and Bowden and then an error by the Warriors allowed three runs to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan fought back in the bottom of the inning. Nolan Evatt led off the inning by reaching on a single to left field. A ground out by Josh Long allowed Evatt to advance to second base. Marty Grisso follow and hit a single up the middle to allow Evatt to get to third base. With Evatt ninety feet from home plate, Cam Mitchem hit a single to left field to bring Evatt in to score.
Emmanuel regained their three run advantage in the second inning as a single by Madrigal brought Cruz in to score.
The Warriors continued to chip away at the Lions lead in the fourth inning. With two outs, Griffin Pickhardt reached first on a dropped third strike. Pickhardt then stole second to get into scoring position. Nolan Evatt came up to the plate and sent the third pitch he saw down the left field line for a double that brought Pickhardt in to score.
The Lions were not done as a single by Beall and double by Madrigal allowed them to extend their lead to 8-2.
Southern Wesleyan challenged back in the bottom of the sixth. Caide Linker led off with a single to center field and then came in to score as Samuel Simonds hit a double down the left field line. With one out, Nolan Evatt came up to the plate and sent the first pitch he saw deep over the right field fence for a two-run home run to put the Warriors behind the Lions 8-5.
The Warriors brought another run in to score in the seventh inning. With one out, Luke Taylor came up for his first at bat of the game and hit a single into right field. Jarrett Whitley hit a double into left center field to bring Taylor in to score to put the Warriors within two runs of the Lions.
However, the Lions pushed on as a triple by Mokris and a two run home run by Madrigal allowed them to extend their lead to 11-6
In the bottom of the eighth, the Warriors struck again. Samuel Simonds led off by hitting a double to deep right field. Vincent Angle came in to pinch hit for Griffin Pickhardt and ground out to the first baseman to allow Simonds to advance to third. A ground out by Nolan Evatt allowed Simonds to come in to score to put the Warriors back within four.
Emmanuel ended up claiming the first game of the series in an 11-7 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Emmanuel Lions on April 19 with first pitch scheduled for 1pm. Prior to the first pitch, the Warriors will host their annual Military Appreciation game with festivities set to begin at 12:15pm. They will then travel over to Gaffney, SC on April 23 to take on the Limestone Saints.
