Montgomery, AL – The Warriors split the final two games of the series against the Auburn Montgomery Warhawks on Saturday. After claiming game one in a 13-3 final score, the Warriors dropped game two 12-2.
Southern Wesleyan totaled 14 hits in the first game of the day. Ethan Shimmel led the team as he went 4 for 5 at the plate including hitting a double and a home run. Nolan Evatt also had a double in the game. Of the 12 RBIs in the game, Shimmel had three with both Ethan Jarvis and Seth Pettett following with two RBIs. The Warriors walked six times and stole bases eight times. Both Shimmel and Matthew McCaffrey had two steals in the game. In his second start of the season, Tanner Lewis pitched a complete game and struck out five batters while only allowing five hits.
The Warriors picked up three hits in their second game of the day against the Warhawks. Chance Kennedy led the team with two hits including a home run. Kade Bowling was the other Warrior with a hit to his name in the loss. Southern Wesleyan walked twice and both Bowling and Nolan Evatt recorded stolen bases. Lukas Arvantides pitched game two for the Warriors and went four innings while striking out one batter. Both Cayden Towell and Mason Clark came in to pitch in relief. Clark also picked up a strikeout.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 13, Auburn Montgomery 3
Game Two Final: Auburn Montgomery 12, Southern Wesleyan 2
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-3) Auburn Montgomery (3-4)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan scored the first runs of the game in the top of the first inning. With one out, Nolan Evatt hit a double to left field and then advanced to third on a balk. Cole Kirschner ground out to third to bring Evatt in to score. Ethan Shimmel then came up to the plate and sent the ball over the left field wall for his second home run of the season. An error by the Warhawks' third baseman put Josh Long on first base. Matthew McCaffrey walked to put two runners on and bring Ethan Jarvis up to bat. Jarvis hit a single into right field to bring Long in to score and give the Warriors a 3-0 run lead.
Auburn Montgomery answered in the bottom of the inning as an error and then a single by Burns allowed two runs to cross home plate.
The Warriors regained their two run advantage in the top of the second inning. Seth Pettett led off the inning by hitting a single up the middle. Pettett then advanced to second as Cole Kirschner hit a single to the Warhawks' shortstop. With two runners on, Ethan Shimmel hit a single through the right side to bring Pettett in to score.
Southern Wesleyan continued to capitalize at the plate in the top of the fifth inning. Cole Kirschner reached on a walk and then came in to score as Ethan Shimmel hit a double to right field. Shimmel stole third base to come to within ninety feet of home. With one out, Matthew McCaffrey walked to force Auburn Montgomery to go to the bullpen. McCaffrey stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Ethan Jarvis hit a sacrifice fly out to left field to bring Shimmel in to score. An error by the catcher allowed Chance Kennedy to reach first and brought McCaffrey in to score the Warriors seventh run of the game. Kennedy stole second base and then came in to score as Seth Pettett hit a single into right field. Kade Bowling walked to put two runners on and bring Nolan Evatt up to bat. Evatt sent the ball to center field for a single that brought Pettett across home plate. Bowling then stole home to give the Warriors a 10-2 run lead over the Warhawks.
Auburn Montgomery brought in their third run of the game as a single by McNeill allowed Suggs to score.
In the sixth inning, the Warriors attacked the plate once again. Ethan Shimmel hit a single to second base and then stole second to get into scoring position. Josh Long followed by sending the ball to center field for a single that brought Shimmel in to score. However, Matthew McCaffrey hit into a fielder's choice on the next play to take Long off the bases. McCaffrey stole second and then advanced to third base as Ethan Jarvis hit a single to center field. Jarvis stole second and then Chance Kennedy walked to load up the bases for Seth Pettett. Pettett walked and then Kade Bowling hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring two more runners in to score for the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan went on to claim a 13-3 run victory over the Warhawks in the first game of the day.
Game Two
Auburn Montgomery struck first in the second game of the day as doubles by Miller and McNeill brought three runs in to score.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the top of the fifth inning as with two outs Chance Kennedy sent the ball over the left field fence for a solo home run.
The Warhawks struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning as they brought six runs in to score to extend their lead to 9-1.
The Warriors cut the Warhawks lead down to seventh in the sixth inning. Nolan Evatt walked with one out and then stole second base. With two outs and Evatt at second, Ethan Shimmel reached on an error to bring Evatt in to score.
However, a three run home run off the bat of McNeill in the seventh inning allowed Auburn Montgomery to win the game in a 12-2 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will host their home opener on February 10 as they welcome the Mars Hill Lions to Dr. C Keith Connor Field. The Warriors will travel to Augusta, GA on February 11 to take on the Augusta Jaguars.
