CENTRAL, S.C. – The Young Harris College baseball team held off a late rally on Wednesday night and knocked off Southern Wesleyan, 13-9, at Dr. C. Keith Connor Baseball Field.
Young Harris (19-19) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Mike Medori walked and Zach Bricknell singled to right center. Both advanced on stolen bases and Medori scored on a Josh Rudnik ground out.
However, Southern Wesleyan (10-17) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs on two hits and took advantage of an error. The Warriors added to the margin with a run in the second.
Back came Young Harris in the fourth as David Atwood, who went 2-for-4, led off the inning with a double to center and scored on Rudnik’s double to left center. Jack Morrow, who was 2-for-6, reached on a fielder’s choice as Rudnik was out at home. Tommy Ferguson followed with an infield hit as Morrow took second. Trey Rogers singled up the middle, plating Morrow. Both Rogers and Ferguson stole bases and Adam Moore walked to load the bases. Medori, who went 2-for-5, singled to right, scoring Rogers and Ferguson to give the Mountain Lions a 5-3 advantage.
Young Harris extended the lead to 7-3 with a pair of runs in the sixth as Rogers walked with one out and stole second. He advanced to third on a wild pitch. Moore walked and Medori reached on an infield single, plating Rogers. Bricknell reached on an error, which allowed Medori to take second and Moore was out at third. Atwood followed with a base hit to center as Medori scored.
The Mountain Lions, who pounded out 12 hits, continued to increase the advantage, scoring three runs in the seventh.
Evan Carr opened the frame by being hit by a pitch. Morrow singled up the middle, moving Carr to third. Ferguson reached on a fielder’s choice as Morrow was out at second and Carr scored. Ferguson took second on a throwing error and advancing to third when Moore singled to center. Medori reached on an error as Moore and Ferguson scored.
However, the Warriors rallied in the bottom of the frame by plating two runs on two hits and took advantage of a pair of errors to cut the margin to 10-5.
Young Harris added three runs in the ninth and held off a furious rally by Southern Wesleyan, which scored four runs in the bottom of the inning, to get back to .500.
Travis Donahoo (3-1) earned the win by pitching six strong innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Taylor Topping and Tyler Isbell worked in relief.
Jeff Rau was one of seven Warrior pitchers used as he worked four innings, giving up five runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Brandon Warne (0-3), Andrew Ladisa, Justin Adams, Tim Cummings, Mark Atkins and Joseph Taylor pitched in relief.
The Mountain Lions continue their time on the road with a 1:00 p.m., doubleheader on Saturday, April 9 in Bristol, Tenn., against King College. Go to http://yhcathletics.athleticsite.net/livestats/bb/xlive.htm for Live Stats.
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