Mount Olive, NC – Southern Wesleyan took down the University of Mount Olive Trojans in the opening game of the series in a 10-9 final score on Friday.
The Warriors totaled 17 hits in the game with both Tristan Tillman and Nolan Evatt having three hits apiece. Tillman and Ethan Shimmel each had doubles. Southern Wesleyan walked eight times and stole five bases during the game.
Lukas Arvantides started the game on the mound and pitched four innings while striking out three batters. Logan Brazell, Matthew White and Ash Faulk all came in to pitch in relief. Brazell struck out two batters. White gained the win while pitching two innings and only allowing one hit and one walk. Faulk closed the game out for the Warriors to get the save.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 10, Mount Olive 9
Records: Southern Wesleyan (9-16 / 4-9 CC) Mount Olive (9-13 / 4-9 CC)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan started strong as they brought in their first run of the game in the top of the first inning. Tristan Tillman led off the inning by hitting a double down the left field line. Tillman then stole third base to come to within ninety feet of home. Nolan Evatt hit a single into left field to bring Tillman in to score.
The Warriors struck again in the top of the second inning. Harrison Garrett led off the inning by hitting a single to right field. Garrett advanced to second as Luke Taylor walked. Southern Wesleyan loaded up the bases as Tristan Tillman was hit by a pitch. However, Nolan Evatt lined out into a double play to take Taylor off the bases. Ethan Shimmel walked to load the bases up once again. Samuel Simonds hit a single to third base to bring Garrett in to score. With the bases still full of Warriors, Cole Kirschner hit a single into center field to bring both Tillman and Shimmel in to score and put Southern Wesleyan on top 4-0.
The Trojans countered in the bottom of the second inning as Mac James was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in their first run of the game. They were not down as an error and a sacrifice fly brought two more runs across home plate.
A two run home run off the bat of Josh Mason in the bottom of the third inning allowed Mount Olive to take a 5-4 run lead over the Warriors.
Southern Wesleyan fought on as they regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Kade Bowling led off the inning by hitting a single through the right side. Bowling advanced to second as Matthew McCaffrey got down a bunt single. With two runners on base, Harrison Garrett laid down a sacrifice bunt to allow both runners to advance a base. A sacrifice fly to right field by Luke Taylor brought Bowling in to score to tie the game up once again. Tristan Tillman then sent the ball up the middle for a single that scored McCaffrey.
However, in the bottom of the fifth inning a double by Tanner Ferguson allowed Josh Mason to score to tie the game up at six.
The Warriors took the lead back in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, Matthew McCaffrey hit a single to second base. Harrison Garrett followed by reaching on a four pitch walk to allow McCaffrey to advance to second. Luke Taylor sent the ball through the left side of the field for a single that brought McCaffrey in to score to give the Warriors a 7-6 run lead.
Mount Olive continued to challenge as they tied the game up once more on a wild pitch.
In the top of the eighth inning the Warriors struck once again. Nolan Evatt led off the inning by hitting a single up the middle. Evatt advanced to second as Ethan Shimmel walked. With one out, Cole Kirschner ground out to the catcher to allow Evatt to advance to third base. Shimmel then stole second base and Kade Bowling walked to bring Matthew McCaffrey up to bat. McCaffrey collected a four pitch walk to bring Evatt in to score. Harrison Garrett came up to the plate and hit a single into center field to bring both Shimmel and Bowling in to score and give the Warriors a 10-7 run lead.
The Trojans challenged in the bottom of the ninth inning as they plated two more runs. However, Ash Faulk forced Ryder Hancock to fly out to center field to give the Warriors a 10-9 run victory over Mount Olive.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will continue the series against the Trojans of Mount Olive on March 14 in a double header beginning at noon. They will then host the Anderson Trojans on March 17 at 4pm. The Warriors will then welcome the North Greenville Trailblazers to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on March 20-21.
