Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the opening game against the UNC Pembroke Braves on Friday evening in a 7-4 final score.
The Warriors totaled five hits in the opening game of the series against the Braves. Luke Taylor led the team with two hits in the game. Both Taylor and Nolan Evatt doubled in the loss. Southern Wesleyan walked four times and both Ethan Shimmel and Kade Bowling stole bases.
Tanner Lewis started the game on the mound for the Warriors. Lewis pitched six innings while striking out six batters. Gavin Kent and Luke Weldon each came in to pitch in relief. Both Kent and Weldon struck out two batters during the game.
Game Vitals
Final: UNC Pembroke 7, Southern Wesleyan 4
Records: Southern Wesleyan (5-11 / CC 2-5) UNC Pembroke (11-2 / CC 5-2)
How It Happened
The Braves were first on the board as in the top of the second inning a passed ball allowed Lucas to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan fought back in the bottom of the inning, Kade Bowling was hit by a pitch and then Perry Dyer walked to put two on. With one out, Bowling stole third base to get into scoring position. Ryan Postnieks sent the ball to the Braves left fielder, but Bowling tagged up and came in to score to allow the Warriors to tie the game up.
UNC Pembroke regained the lead in the top of the third inning as singles by Davis and Lucas allowed the Braves to take a 3-1 run lead over Southern Wesleyan. The Braves continued their attacks as they brought more runs in to score in the fifth.
The Warriors would not let up as they answered in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, Luke Taylor hit the ball over the right fielder's head for a double. Tristan Tillman came up to the plate and hit a single into left center field to bring Taylor in to score.
A squeeze play off a sacrifice bunt by Donathan allowed Jernigan to come in to score to extend the Braves lead to 6-2.
Southern Wesleyan went on the offensive once again in the bottom of the eighth inning. Nolan Evatt led off the inning by hitting a double to right field. Ethan Shimmel got the ball down for a single that allowed Evatt to come in to score.
Lucas hit a double into right center field to bring Scarbrough in to score to extend the Braves lead to 7-3 in the top of the ninth inning.
The Warriors challenged in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Beau Berge came in to pinch hit and was hit by a pitch. Luke Taylor then hit a single down the right field to allow Berge to advance to third base. A balk brought Berge in to score to put the Warriors three runs behind the Braves. However, the Braves went on to claim the game in a 7-4 final score.
What's Next
The Warriors will wrap up the series against the UNC Pembroke Braves on February 28 in a double header beginning at noon. They will then hit the road to Mars Hill, NC to take on the Mars Hill Lions on March 3. Southern Wesleyan will travel to Due West, SC on March 6-7 to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet.
