WISE, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team (7-26, 4-17 SAC) split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with the University of Virginia's College at Wise (10-23, 7-11 SAC) Saturday afternoon at Burchell Stallard Field. The Cavaliers took game one 3-1, before the Wasps bounced back to take the rubber match 7-3, and win the series two games to one.
The Basics
GAME ONE – UVA Wise 3, Emory & Henry 1
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 7, UVA Wise 3 (Seven Innings)
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – Burchell Stallard Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (7-26, 4-17 SAC); UVA Wise (10-23, 7-11 SAC)
Game One - UVA Wise 3, Emory & Henry 1
The Cavaliers jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning as they tallied three runs on a three-run home run from Justin Reed to take the 3-0 lead. The bats were kept silent through the middle stages of the game as both teams were held scoreless over the following five innings of play.
The Wasps broke through in the top of the seventh. Junior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) led off with a single and moved up on a wild pitch. Junior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) delivered an RBI double to plate Bebber and cut the deficit to 3-1. That was as close as the Wasps would get, as UVA Wise took game one of the doubleheader by the 3-1 final score.
Garrett Stiltner earned the win on the mound for the Cavaliers, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings of work. Senior right-handed pitcher Bryson Wagner (Salisbury, N.C.) was the tough-luck loser after a strong outing of eight innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out four batters. Smith and fifth-year second baseman Noah Mazza (Plainfield, Ill.) each had a pair of hits.
Game Two - Emory & Henry 7, UVA Wise 3 (Seven Innings)
UVA Wise took the lead for the second time in as many games in game two of the doubleheader, as Jake Weaver drove in a run with an RBI double to take the early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning. The Wasps responded in the top of the fourth. Senior designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) and senior outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) each drew a walk and sophomore Garrison Bullock (Concord, N.C.) smashed a three-run shot down the line in right field, his second of the series, to take the 3-1 lead.
The Wasps added another in the top of the sixth. Smith walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.). Senior outfielder Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) drilled an RBI triple into the gap in left-center field to score Smith and make it 4-1, extending Foley's hit streak to 12 games.
Wise cut into the deficit with a two-run Cole Harness home run in the bottom of the sixth, but E&H added insurance runs in the top of the seventh. The Wasps loaded the bases on a pair of hit batsmen and a bunt single from Hill. Bullock kept his hot streak alive with a two-RBI single to left field to increase the lead back out to 6-3. A wild pitch moved both runners up and a sacrifice fly from Smith ballooned the margin out to its final at 7-3.
Senior righty Jack Swarbrick (Haverhill, Mass.) earned the win in relief, scattering two runs and two hits while fanning seven Cavaliers over five innings on the hill. Redshirt freshman Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) received a no-decision, allowing one run and two hits in two innings. Daniel Kanagy took the loss for UVA Wise, surrendering two runs on two hits in 3 ⅓ innings. Bullock led the offensive charge for E&H with five RBIs on a pair of hits. Foley and Mazza each had two hits in the win.
Up Next
The Wasps hit the road once more on Tuesday, April 2 when they travel to take on the Mountain Lions of Concord University. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Anderson Field in Athens, West Virginia.
--E&H--