TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Young Harris College baseball team concluded a three-game series against North Greenville by dropping a pair of games Saturday to the Crusaders, 15-8, and 7-6 at Ashmore Baseball Field.

In the opener, North Greenville got a solo home run by Anthony Foulk to grab a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The Mountain Lions (16-16) answered with a run in the third as Ryan LaRose walked to begin the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Zach Bricknell, who went 3-for-4, plated LaRose with a base hit to center, tying the game at 1.

The Crusaders took a 2-1 advantage with a run in the fourth.

However, Young Harris rallied in the top of the fifth as Mike Medori walked and scored when Tommy Ferguson, who went 2-for-5, homered to left to give the Mountain Lions a 3-2 advantage. YHC wasn’t done in the frame as David Atwood walked and scored when Josh Rudnik doubled to left center, extending the lead to 4-2.

Back came North Greenville in the bottom of the frame, plating two runs to tie the game at 4 and the Crusaders took a 10-4 advantage with six runs on six hits and took advantage of an error in the seventh.

The Mountain Lions tried to rally with two runs in the eighth, but the Crusaders put the game away with five runs on a pair of hits and capitalized on three YHC errors for the 15-6 lead.

Adam Moore worked 4.2 innings for the Mountain Lions, giving up four runs on three hits with four walks and a strikeout. Oliver Pratt and Tyler Pratt worked in relief.

Derek Fulmer started for the Crusaders, giving up two runs on one hit with seven strikeouts and three walks in 4.1 innings. Mark Benjamin pitched in relief.

In the nightcap, Young Harris raced out to a 1-0 lead as Bricknell drew a two-out walk and scored on an Atwood double to right center.

The Crusaders answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-1 lead into the second inning.

Young Harris cut the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the fourth as Atwood doubled to right center to begin the inning and Rudnik walked. With one out, Atwood stole third and Rudnik took second. Moore flied out to right for the sacrifice as Atwood scored.

North Greenville answered again in the bottom of the inning by plating three runs on three hits for the 6-2 advantage.

The Mountain Lions rallied in the seventh as Evan Carr was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. With one out, Trey Rogers reached on an error. After a pitching change, Medori was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Ferguson followed by belting a grand slam homer to left, tying the game at 6.

However, the Crusaders got a run in the bottom of the seventh to get the 7-6 win.

Travis Donahoo started for the Mountain Lions, giving up three runs on one hit with four walks in two innings. Taylor Topping took the loss in relief.

Ryan Woodring worked 6.1 innings, giving up four runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Brian Giles picked up the victory in relief.  

Young Harris returns to action by opening a three-game series against King College starting 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 25 at Zell B. Miller Field. Go to http://yhcathletics.athleticsite.net/bb/livestats/xlive.htm for Live Stats.

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