MARS HILL, N.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (15-29, 6-19 SAC) tallied three home runs and scored 10 times in the fifth inning to earn a come-from-behind win over Mars Hill University (12-33, 5-20) in South Atlantic Conference competition Friday afternoon. The Wasps recorded 15 hits on their way to a 19-6 run-rule victory over the Lions.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 19, Mars Hill 6
LOCATION – Mars Hill, North Carolina
VENUE – Henderson Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (15-29, 6-19 SAC); Mars Hill (12-33, 5-20 SAC)
How It Happened
Emory & Henry struck first in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on an RBI single off the bat of fifth-year designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) to put the Wasps up 1-0. The Lions answered back with one run in the first, one in the second and three more in the third to establish a 5-1 advantage. E&H got a pair of runs back in the top of the fourth inning with Howell singled and fifth-year catcher Camden Bailey (Sterling, Ill.) followed two batters later with his second home run in as many games, this of the two-run variety, to trim the deficit to 5-3.
The visitors from Emory broke the game open in the top of the fifth frame. Hoppes drew a walk and senior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) singled to set the table for senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) who blasted a three-run shot over the wall in center to put the Wasps on top 6-5. Howell reached on a walk and fifth-year outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) joined the home run party with a two-run blast to increase the lead to 8-5. E&H loaded the bases with three consecutive walks and plated two more runs on a fielding error by the Lions. Smith followed with a three-run home run, his 11th of the year, and when the dust settled Emory & Henry held a 13-5 advantage.
Mars Hill registered a run on a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, Emory & Henry would add another run in the sixth when Howell doubled and fifth-year outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) brought him around to score with an RBI double of his own to make it 14-6. The Wasps would put the finishing touches on the run-rule win in the top of the eighth when they added five runs on four hits for the 19-6 win in just eight innings.
Junior pitcher Jacob Nester (Hillsville, Va.) earned the win on the mound for the Wasps as he scattered six runs on nine hits while striking out eight batters over five innings of work. Fifth-year reliever John McCarthy (Hampton, Va.) was great out of the bullpen as he threw three scoreless innings while fanning a pair of hitters to preserve the win and pick up his first career save. Brennan Williams took the loss for Mars Hill, surrendering eight runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings. Smith finished with a game-high five RBIs on three base hits including the long ball. Bebber and Hensley each recorded a pair of runs driven in while Hoppes, Bailey and Hill all plated a pair of runners.
Up Next
The Wasps wrap up the three-game series against the Lions on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.
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