Mars Hill earns split versus No. 11 Lee
The Mars Hill baseball team (1-6) earned a split versus No. 11 Lee (2-4), dropping game one by a score of 9-7, but claiming game two by a score of 6-5.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Mars Hill baseball team (1-6) earned a split versus No. 11 Lee (2-4), dropping game one by a score of 9-7, but claiming game two by a score of 6-5.
GAME ONE: LEE 9, MHU 7
The Lions' comeback bid fell just short in game one versus Lee.
The Flames ended the first inning up 6-0, thanks in large part to Malachi Cloud's grand slam. They extended their lead to seven with a solo home run off the bat of Josiah Miller in the bottom of the third, picking up his second RBI of the contest.
Mars Hill, in the top of the seventh, scored six to claw within one. Dawson Connell drove in two with a single to center, plating Trevor Bailey and Jordan Lathe. Luke Hayes' RBI single scored Alex Naran and the bases were cleared later in the inning with Tyler Sellers' three-run home run to right field.
Brandon Daniels' RBI single in the bottom of the seventh put the Flames back up by two, but in the top of the eighth, Lathe's RBI groundout once again pulled the Lions within one. Cloud's RBI double in the bottom of the frame provided enough of a cushion to allow Lee to escape with the victory.
Cloud led all players with five RBI, going 2-for-4 from the plate. Naran led all players with three hits while Lathe, Hayes, Sellers, and Bailey each added two hits apiece. Sellers led the Lions with three RBI.
Brian Smart was credited with the loss, allowing seven runs on two hits in five innings pitched. He struck out six. Sam Fulton earned his second win of the season, striking out nine in five scoreless innings, allowing five hits.
GAME TWO: MHU 6, LEE 5
Mars Hill scores five unanswered runs to come from behind and win their first game of the season, taking game two of the series, 6-5.
The Lions trailed 5-1 entering the top of the fourth. Tyler Sellers hit his second three-run home run of the day to pull the Lions within one. Later in the inning, Trevor Bailey tied the contest with a solo home run to right field.
After a scoreless fifth, Zach Weaver gave the Lions their second lead of the game with a solo home run to left putting Mars Hill up 6-5.
Jake Wagoner struck out three of final six batters, picking up his first win of the season in relief. He threw 3.2 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven.
Sellers opened the scoring in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly to left, plating Weaver.
Lee scored five in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a pair of two-run home runs from Dylan Standifer and Josiah Miller.
Sellers led all players with four RBI while Weaver led the Lions with two hits in the contest. Miller and Brandon Daniels led Lee with two hits apiece.
Keegan Gagliardo was credited with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in 3.2 innings thrown.
The Lions close out the series on Sunday, February 12 with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
