AIKEN, S.C. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team (3-14) banged out a season-high 18 hits and scored double-digit runs as the Wasps took down the University of South Carolina Aiken (7-11) in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 12, USC Aiken 9
LOCATION – Aiken, South Carolina
VENUE – Roberto Hernandez Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-14, 1-8 SAC); USC Aiken (7-11, 3-0 Peach Belt)
How It Happened
E&H broke through in the top of the first when senior outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) drilled a single, fifth-year outfielder Tyler Bradley (Bessemer City, N.C.) was hit by a pitch and junior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) delivered a two-RBI double to left field to get the Wasps on the board 2-0. The Wasps added another run in the top of the second. Freshman catcher Nick Morris (Mint Hill, N.C.) drew a walk, senior outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) singled and senior third baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) walked to load the bases. Hill followed with a sacrifice fly to score Morris and E&H pushed its lead out to 3-0.
The Pacers answered back in the home half of the third inning as they tallied four runs on five hits to take a 4-3 lead. Emory & Henry responded in the top of the fifth. Senior designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) and Bebber led off with back-to-back singles and moved up on a sacrifice bunt from junior second baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.). Morris drove in a run on an error and freshman shortstop Anthony Umbach (Harrisburg, N.C.) drove in another with an RBI single to push E&H back in front. Foley rounded out the scoring with an RBI double to center to give the Wasps a 6-4 advantage.
USC Aiken exploded for four more runs in the bottom of the fifth, capped off with a three-run home run by Joseph Mozingo to give the Pacers the lead once more at 8-6. The E&H bats came alive again in the top of the sixth. Bradley and Howell led off with back-to-back singles and Bradley came around to score on an RBI double from Bebber. Umbach singled and another run scored on a Pacer fielding error. Foley came through with a two-RBI triple to run the Wasps' margin out to 11-8. Emory & Henry scored again in the visiting half of the seventh when Bebber walked, moved up to third on a wild pitch and error and crossed home on an RBI sacrifice fly by Umbach to increase the lead out to 12-8. The Pacers scored one in the bottom of the ninth, but the Wasps hung on for the 12-9 win.
Fifth-year pitcher Nick Cerrato (Oswego, Ill.) earned the win on the mound for E&H as he went 1 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out a pair of batters. Lucas Highberger took the loss for USC Aiken after surrendering seven hits and five runs, two earned, over 1 ⅓ innings. Bebber led the charge on offense for the Wasps as he had three hits, three RBIs and scored three runs. Umbach posted three hits and a pair of RBIs while Foley finished with a double and a triple with three driven in. Morris drove in a pair and Howell went for three base knocks.
Up Next
The Wasps wrap up their Spring Break road trip on Wednesday, March 6 when they face the Jaguars of Augusta University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
--E&H--