YOUNG HARRIS – For the second straight game, the Young Harris College bats came alive as the Mountain Lions pounded out a season-high 28 hits and scored in all but one inning as YHC cruised to a 21-2 victory over Mars Hill College on Tuesday afternoon at Zell B. Miller Field.

“It’s nice to play a game when the ball continually bounces your way,” Young Harris head coach Rick Robinson said. “Our guys played very well today.”

Mars Hill (7-8) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Young Harris quickly answered with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the frame.

Zach Bricknell, who had three hits, led off the inning with a single through the left side and Tommy Ferguson, who collected three hits, followed with a base hit up the middle to move Bricknell to third. Ferguson stole second and Bricknell came in to score on a sacrifice fly by David Atwood. Josh Rudnik, who went 5-for-5 and drove in six, singled to left-center to plate Ferguson. With two down in the inning, Jack Morrow, who had three hits, smacked his second homer of the season to give Young Harris a 4-0 lead.

The Mountain Lions (6-8) added a run in the second and three more in the third to take an 8-1 lead.

Although Mars Hill score a run in the top of the fourth, Young Harris put the game away with six runs on eight hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 14-2 advantage.

Evan Carr, who had a pair of hits, led off the frame with an infield hit. Morrow reached on a fielder’s choice as Carr was out at second. Adam Moore, who went 3-for-5, followed with a single to right-center, advancing Morrow to third. After a stolen base by Moore, Trey Rogers, who had four hits, singled down the line in right to plate Morrow as Moore stopped at third. Mike Medori reached on a bunt single, as Moore came in to score. With two outs, Ferguson had an infield hit to load the bases. Atwood followed with a base hit to right to score Rogers and Medori. Rudnik continued the inning with a single to right as Ferguson crossed home plate, giving YHC six runs in the inning.

Young Harris continued the onslaught with four runs in the fifth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth.

Travis Donahoo (2-1) started for the Mountain Lions, going five innings. He gave up a pair of runs, while scattered seven hits. He fanned five and walked two. James Mills and Clint Ogle pitched in relief.

Tim Crawford worked two innings for Mars Hill, giving up five runs on six hits with two walks in taking the loss. Tyler Stephenson, Charles Anthony, Nick Merchant, Jon Bullington and Tony Hearell worked in relief.

The Mountain Lions open a four-game home stand 5:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25 at Zell B. Miller against Montreat College. For live stats of the series, visit: http://yhcathletics.athleticsite.net/livestats/bb/xlive.htm

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