GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (12-24, 4-15 SAC) earned a big South Atlantic Conference road win over Limestone University (18-19, 11-11 SAC) Friday evening. The Wasps recorded 12 hits and utilized a strong start on the mound from junior pitcher Jacob Nester (Hillsville, Va.) to take the win by a 9-2 final score.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 9, Limestone 2
LOCATION – Gaffney, South Carolina
VENUE – Founders FCU Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (12-24, 4-15 SAC); Limestone (18-19, 11-11 SAC)
How It Happened
The Wasps wasted no time as leadoff hitter fifth-year second baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) launched a solo home run to put the visitors from Emory ahead 1-0 in the top of the first. Limestone responded in the home half of the inning with a run on a pair of hits and the score stood all square at 1-1.
Neither team could break through in the second or third inning, but E&H struck again in the top of the fourth. Senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) laced a one-out single and fifth-year designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) followed a batter later to put two in scoring position. Bebber scored on a passed ball and Howell touched home on a RBI sacrifice fly from fifth-year outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) to push the Wasps' advantage out to 3-1. Emory & Henry was not done as they scored twice more in the top of the fifth. Senior outfielder Khadeem Lewis (Chesterfield, Va.) led off with a single then moved up to third on a double by freshman outfielder Rhett Barker (Charlotte, N.C.). Foley rapped an RBI single down the line in right to score Lewis and Barker scored on a perfectly-executed double steal to run the margin out to 5-1.
E&H added to the lead in the top of the seventh after freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) reached on an error and back-to-back singles from senior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) loaded the bases to set the table for Howell, who drilled a two-RBI single down the line in left. Hensley followed with an RBI single of his own and the Wasps held an 8-1 advantage. The Saints got a run back in the bottom of the eighth, but E&H would add one more insurance run on a Howell sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to secure the 9-2 SAC win.
Nester was the winning pitcher for the Wasps after he went seven solid innings, giving up just one run and seven hits while fanning three Limestone batters. Colt Wilkins took the loss for Limestone as he surrendered five runs on seven hits over four innings of work. Fifth-year reliever Jack Swarbrick (Haverhill, Mass.) and sophomore righty Jacob Iverson (Fort Mill, S.C.) combined for 1.2 scoreless innings in relief out of the bullpen. Howell led the offense for the Wasps with three RBIs on a pair of hits. Foley and Hensley each registered a pair of RBIs while Bebber finished with three base knocks.
Up Next
The Wasps wrap up the three-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader against the Saints. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Founders FCU Stadium.
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