Mars Hill, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Mars Hill Lions on Tuesday afternoon in a 6-5 final score.
The Warriors collected 13 hits in the mid-week contest against the Lions. Cam Mitchem, Caide Linker, Gavin Mitchell and Jason Culley each had two hits in the game. One of Mitchem's hits came in the form of a double. Southern Wesleyan walked twice and Josh Long was hit by a pitch.
Coleman Wylie started the game on the mound for the Warriors and pitched one inning while striking out one batter. Eight Warriors came in to pitch in relief. Jaylen Morgan led the team with two strikeouts. Josiah Sizemore, Cayden Towell and Logan Brazell each had solo strikeouts.
Game Vitals
Final: Mars Hill 6, Southern Wesleyan 5
Records: Southern Wesleyan (8-32) Mars Hill (11-28)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan struck early on in the game against the Lions of Mars Hill. Nolan Evatt led off the game by reaching first after a fielding error by the Lions' short stop. Evatt went on to advance to second on the play. Josh Long knocked down a single through the right side of the field to put runners on the corners. With one out, Marty Grisso hit a sacrifice fly out to right field to bring Evatt in to score the first run of the game for the Warriors.
The Warriors continued to challenge the Lions in the second inning. Caide Linker led off the inning by hitting the ball right up the middle for a single. Back-to-back singles by Vincent Angle and Gavin Mitchell loaded up the bases for Jason Culley. Culley sent the ball into the outfield for a single that allowed Angle to come in to score. Southern Wesleyan was not done as Nolan Evatt hit a single to center field on the first pitch he saw to bring Angle across home plate. With the bases full of Warriors and no one out, Josh Long hit a sacrifice fly out to right field to bring Mitchell in to score the fourth run of the game for the Warriors.
Mars Hill fought back in the bottom of the inning as Matson led off with a double and then came in to score as Potts hit a single through the left side of the infield to put the Lions on the board.
Zach Cimino hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Lions behind the Warriors 4-2.
Southern Wesleyan regained their three run advantage in the sixth inning. Gavin Mitchell led off the inning by hitting a single through the left side of the field. Jason Culley laid down a bunt single. As Mitchell was taking second base, the Lions threw the ball into the outfield to allow Mitchell to advance to third base. The Lions caught Culley as he attempted to steal second, but Mitchell was able to come in to score on the play.
Mars Hill continued to fight back as a double by Bumgarner and then a single by Jones allowed three runs to come in to score to give the Lions a 6-5 victory over the Warriors.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on April 11-12 as they travel up to Bristol, TN to take on the King Tornado in Conference Carolinas action. They will then travel to Anderson, SC to take on the Anderson Trojans on April 15. The Warriors will host their final home series of 2025 on April 18-19 as they welcome the Emmanuel Lions to Dr. C Keith Connor Field. During the games on April 19, the Warriors will host their annual Military Appreciation ceremony.
