Mars Hill, NC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Mars Hill Lions in an extra inning 6-3 final on Tuesday afternoon.
The Warriors totaled 13 hits in the victory over the Lions. Ethan Shimmel led the team with three hits. Shimmel, Kade Bowling and Matthew McCaffrey each doubled, and McCaffrey had a triple. Both Bowling and McCaffrey had two RBIs. Perry Dyer walked four times, and both Tristan Tillman and Bowling stole bases.
Lukas Arvantides started the game on the mound for the Warriors and struck out four batters in the eight innings he pitched. Gavin Kent, Matthew White and Ash Faulk each came in to pitch in relief. Faulk struck out two batters as he picked up the win.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 6, Mars Hill 3
Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-13) Mars Hill (6-11)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan was first on the board as they brought a run in to score in the fifth inning. Matthew McCaffrey led off by hitting a double down the left field line. Seth Pettett followed by laying down a bunt single to allow McCaffrey to advance to third. With runners on the corners, Luke Taylor ground into a double play that allowed McCaffrey to come in to score.
The Warriors attacked the plate again in the sixth inning. With two outs, Ethan Shimmel drilled the ball down the left field line for a double. Kade Bowling followed by hitting another double down the left field line to allow Shimmel to come in to score to give the Warriors a 2-0 run lead.
Southern Wesleyan continued their attacks in the eighth inning as with one out Cole Kirschner walked. Ethan Shimmel hit a single through the right side to allow Kirschner to advance to second. With two on and one out, Kade Bowling hit a single through the left side to allow Kirschner to come in to score.
Mars Hill answered in the bottom of the ninth inning as they brought three runs in to score to tie the game up.
The Warriors were not done though as they brought a couple more runs in to score in the top of the tenth inning. With one out, Ethan Shimmel hit a single into right field. Josh Long came in to pinch hit and ground out to the third baseman, but Shimmel was able to advance to second on the play. Perry Dyer walked to put two runners on and bring Matthew McCaffrey up to bat. McCaffrey sent the ball into right field for a triple to clear the bases. Seth Pettett then hit a single into center field to allow McCaffrey to cross home plate and give the Warriors 6-3 run victory over the Lions.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on March 6-7 as they travel to Due West, SC to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet. On March 10, the Warriors will host the Newberry Wolves in a doubleheader beginning at 2pm. They will then travel to Mount Olive, NC on March 13-14 to take on the University of Mount Olive Trojans.
