BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King (Tenn.) University Baseball Team (2-0) got the 2022 season underway picking up a doubleheader sweep over visiting Emory & Henry College (0-2) Friday afternoon. The Tornado claimed game one by a 5-4 score and completed the sweep with a 9-4 victory.
The Basics
GAME ONE – King (Tenn.) 5, Emory & Henry 4
GAME TWO – King (Tenn.) 9, Emory & Henry 4
LOCATION – Bristol, Tennessee
VENUE – King Baseball Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (0-2); King (Tenn.) (2-0, 0-0 Carolinas)
Game One – King (Tenn.) 5, Emory & Henry 4 (seven innings)
King opened up a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. Junior Renwick and Robbie Scott had a pair of RBI base hits while Jack Flanigan drove in a third run with a sacrifice fly to left field.
E&H got on the board in the third as sophomore first baseman McCray Sawyers (Stuart, Va.) singled down the fright field line. In the fourth, the Wasps pushed three runs across to take a 4-3 lead. Junior designated hitter Eli Milhorn (Bluff City, Tenn.) drew a bases loaded walk to set up senior Hayden Milley (Clover, S.C.) for a two-run single to left.
The Tornado responded in the bottom of the fourth with two runs to get the final 5-4 score. Renwick put King over the top with a single to left field.
Drew Moore earned the win for King, scattering four runs with eight hit and five strikeouts over five innings of work. Nic Blankenship was credited with the save, pitching the seventh inning. E&H freshman Luke Kennedy (Irmo, S.C.) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with four strikeouts in five innings pitched.
Game Two – King (Tenn.) 9, Emory & Henry 4 (seven innings)
E&H scored a run in the top of the first as Sawyers drove in Milhorn. King responded with three in the bottom of the frame highlighted by a two-run double to left-center by Connor Andrews.
Two in the second and one in the third for the Tornado made it a 6-1 contest. The Wasps scored a pair in the fourth as sophomore third baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) and Milhorn each had base knocks to close the gap to 6-3.
Another three runs from King in the bottom half of the fourth inning including a two-run homer by Scott got the margin out to 9-3. Emory & Henry got a sacrifice fly from freshman Cole Mallory (Ashland, Va.) in the seventh for the final 9-4 score.
King's Ray Berry picked up the win, allowing three runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts. Wasp freshman Will Jennings (Abingdon, Va.) suffered the loss as he permitted eight runs on nine hits in three innings despite striking out six.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will face King in another pair of seven-inning games on Saturday. First pitch for game one is set for noon.
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