Franklin Springs, GA – Southern Wesleyan took down the Emmanuel Lions in the first game of the series on Friday evening in a 17-8 final.
The Warriors picked up 22 hits in the series opener. Cole Kirschner led the Warriors as he went 4 for 5 at the plate. Behind Kirschner, four Warriors had three hits in the game. Kirschner and Perry Dyer each doubled in the game. Nolan Evatt, Matthew McCaffrey and Luke Taylor each homered in the game. Southern Wesleyan walked five times, and Tristan Tillman, Kade Bowling and McCaffrey each stole bases.
Lukas Arvantides started the game on the mound for the Warriors and pitched five innings while striking out two batters. Coleman Wylie and Will Koehler both came in to pitch in relief. Wylie picked up three strikeouts while Koehler had two strikeouts.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 17, Emmanuel 8
Records: Southern Wesleyan (11-22 / CC 5-14) Emmanuel (14-17 / CC 10-11)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan went on the attack early on in the series opener as they brought their first run in to score in the first inning. Tristan Tillman led off the inning by hitting a single to the pitcher. Tillman then stole second base. As the catcher attempted to throw Tillman out, he threw the ball into the outfield to allow Tillman to advance to third base. With Tillman just ninety feet from home, Nolan Evatt hit a sacrifice fly into center field to allow Tillman to come in for first run of the game.
The Warriors continued their attacks in the third inning. Harrison Garrett kicked off the inning by hitting a single into center field. Luke Taylor followed with a single and then advanced to second on an error that allowed Garrett to advance to third base. However, Tristan Tillman hit into a fielder's choice that took Garrett off the bases. Nolan Evatt came up to bat and sent the ball deep over the right field fence for a three run blast that extend the Warriors' lead to 4-0.
Matthew McCaffrey started the fourth inning off in style for the Warriors as he sent the ball down the right field line and over the fence for a solo home run. Harrison Garrett followed with a five pitch walk. With Garrett at first, Luke Taylor picked up his first home run of the season to extend the Warriors lead to seven. Tristan Tillman was then hit by a pitch to force the Lions to go to the bullpen. With the new pitcher on the mound, Nolan Evatt singled to right field to allow Tillman to advance to third. Cole Kirschner then sent the ball to left field for a single that allowed Evatt to advance to second and brought Tillman in to score. Kade Bowling followed by hitting into a fielder's choice, but was eventually ruled out on the play. However, both runners were able to advance a base. With two runners on base, Perry Dyer sent the ball into right field for a single that allowed Evatt to cross home plate.
Southern Wesleyan continued where they left off in the fifth inning as Matthew McCaffrey got on base on a single. With one out, McCaffrey stole second base and then advanced to third as Luke Taylor flew out to center field. Tristan Tillman hit a single into left field to allow McCaffrey to come in to score the Warriors tenth run. A single off the bat of Nolan Evatt put runners on the corners and brought Cole Kirschner up to bat. Kirschner hit the ball into left field for a single that allowed Evatt to advance to second and brought Tillman in to score. Kade Bowling walked to load up the bases and bring Perry Dyer up to bat. Dyer got in a single to left field that allowed Evatt to come in to score.
Emmanuel answered in the bottom of the fifth inning as a sacrifice fly by Aidan Feather and a grand slam off the bat of Reece Kingeter put the Lions behind the Warriors 12-5.
The Warriors regained a couple runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Harrison Garrett hit a single into right center field. Cotes Reid came in to pinch run for Garrett and advanced to second as Tristan Tillman hit a single to center field. A walk to Nolan Evatt loaded up the bases for Cole Kirschner. Kirschner sent the ball into left field for a single that allowed both Reid and Tillman to come in to score.
The Lions brought a couple more runs in to score in the bottom of the seventh inning as Davis Roesler hit a double into left center field to bring Reece Kingeter in to score.
Seth Pettett kicked off the top of the eighth inning by hitting a single to second base. Pettett advanced to third as Luke Taylor got the ball down in right center field for a single. An error at shortstop allowed Tristan Tillman to reach first and brought Pettett in to score. A line out by Nolan Evatt allowed Taylor to advance to third base. With Cole Kirschner at bat, a wild pitch allowed Tillman to advance to second. Kirshner ended up reaching first on an eight pitch walk to load up the bases and bring Kade Bowling up to bat. Bowling hit a sacrifice fly out to right field to allow Taylor to come in to score. Perry Dyer drilled the ball into right center field for a double that brought Tillman in to score to extend the Warriors lead to 17-6.
The Lions challenged once again in the bottom of the ninth inning as they brought two more runs in to score. However, Will Koehler was able to get the final Lions out to give the Warriors a 17-8 run victory over Emmanuel.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Emmanuel Lions on March 28 in a doubleheader beginning at 1pm. They will then return to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on March 31 to take on the Augusta Jaguars at 5pm. The Warriors will travel up to Murfreesboro, NC on April 3-4 to take on the Chowan Hawks.
