YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - The Young Harris College Mountain Lions split a Saturday doubleheader with the Montreat College Cavaliers, losing the first game, 4-2 before coming back to take the second game 2-1.
The first game saw the Mountain Lions (8-9) offensive attack that has put up 10, 21, and 11 runs in their last three games respectively, only score two runs as Cavalier starter TJ Fussell (7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 5 K) picked up the complete-game victory. David Atwood was the lone Mountain Lion with a multi-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Montreat (3-7) was the first team on the scoreboard as they scored three unearned runs in the first two innings that would prove to be enough for Fussell. Young Harris had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh, as Evan Carr hit a hard ground ball to the Cavalier second- baseman to end the game with the tying run in scoring position. Josh Rudnik (4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) took the loss for the Mountain Lions. Lefties Billy Demersky (1 IP, 0 R) and Brice Merritt (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 K) were effective in relief.
In the second game, starter Taylor Topping (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) battled through five innings before handing the ball over to Tyler Isbell (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K) with a 2-1 lead to collect the save. The win marked Topping’s first career victory.
Both teams had few scoring opportunities as Montreat starter David Flanagan (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 K) kept the Mountain Lion offense off-balance all game. Ryan LaRose (BB, 1 RBI) and Josh Rudnik (1 H, 1 RBI) were able to drive-in the two runs to give Young Harris a 2-1 lead that would stand.
“Topping did not have his best stuff today, but kept us in the game for five innings, and Isbell was able to come in and did an outstanding job out of the bullpen” head coach Rick Robinson discussed after the game. “You have to give credit to their (Montreat) pitchers and defense, the pitchers did a great job of keeping our hitters off-balance and their defense made some outstanding plays behind them.”
Young Harris will conclude the series with Montreat College with one 9-inning game beginning at 2pm tomorrow at Zell B. Miller Field.
For live stats, visit http://yhcathletics.athleticsite.net/livestats/bb/xlive.htm.
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