Wilson, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell in the series opener against the Barton Bulldogs on Friday afternoon.
The Warriors picked up eight hits in the loss to the Bulldogs. Nolan Evatt and Kade Bowling each with 2 for 5 at the plate on Friday. Southern Wesleyan walked five times and Tristan Tillman stole two bases during the game.
Matthew White started the game on the mound for the Warriors and pitched two innings while striking out three batters. Caleb Gregory, Gavin Kent, Tanner Lewis and Coleman Wylie came in to pitch in relief. Lewis picked up the other strikeout in the game.
Game Vitals
Final: Barton 7, Southern Wesleyan 6
Records: Southern Wesleyan (14-30 / CC 8-20) Barton (9-28 / CC 6-22)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan struck early on in the series opener against the Barton Bulldogs. In the top of the first inning with one out, Nolan Evatt hit a single through the right side of the field. Ethan Shimmel collected a four pitch walk to put two runners on base. Kade Bowling sent the ball toward first base, however an error by the first baseman loaded up the bases for Perry Dyer. Dyer got the ball through the right side of the infield for a single that allowed both Evatt and Shimmel to cross home plate and give the Warriors a 2-0 run advantage.
The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the second inning as, with the bases loaded, a single by Jackson Marvel brought two runs in to score to tie the game up. Barton took the lead shortly afterwards as a single by Myles Odom and a triple off the bat of David Lieux brought two more runners in to score.
Barton extended their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning as a single by Myles Odom allowed Gregory Melo to come in to score.
The Warriors fought back in the top of the eighth inning. Ethan Shimmel led off the inning with a four pitch walk. Cole Kirschner hit into a fielder's choice, but Shimmel stayed safe on the base pads on a muffed throw by the Bulldogs shortstop. Kade Bowling followed by sending the ball into left field for a single to load up the bases for Perry Dyer. Dyer reached base on a fielder's choice, however another error at shortstop allowed Shimmel to come in to score. With the bases loaded, Luke Taylor hit a single to left center field to bring Kirschner in to score and force the Bulldogs to go to the bullpen. Josh Long came in to pinch hit for Seth Pettett and face the new pitcher. Long hit a single into right center field to allow both Bowling and Dyer to come in to score to put the Warriors on top 6-5.
However, Barton would not relent as they plated two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game in a 7-6 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Barton Bulldogs on April 18 in a doubleheader beginning at noon. They will then return to Central, SC on April 21 to host the Anderson Trojans. The Warriors will host their final regular season series against the Shorter Hawks on April 24-25.
