BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Young Harris College baseball team dropped the opening game of a doubleheader to King College, 8-4, on a walk-off grand slam home run as the second game was suspended in the bottom of the second inning because of lightning and the game was postponed until 1:00 p.m., Sunday as the two teams will resume action with a twinbill at King College Baseball Field.
In the first game, the Mountain Lions (19-20) opened the scoring in the top of the second inning as Evan Carr led off the frame with a double to left to begin the inning and advanced to third on a base hit through the left side by Jack Morrow, who was 2-for-5. Tommy Ferguson brought Carr in on a sacrifice fly to center to give Young Harris a 1-0 advantage.
Young Harris, which turned two double plays, added a pair of runs in the third as David Atwood was hit by a pitch with one down in the inning and stole second. Josh Rudnik doubled to right center, plating Atwood. Carr, who went 2-for-5, advanced Rudnik to third on a ground out to the second base and Morrow singled through the right side to score Rudnik, increasing the lead to 3-0.
The Mountain Lions continued to find ways to score as Trey Rogers reached on a two-base throwing error by the third baseman to start the fourth and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Moore. Mike Medori scored Rogers on a ground out to second, extending the advantage to 4-0.
King took advantage of three singles and a balk to score its first run of the day in the bottom half of the inning.
The Tornado (19-12) cut the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth with a run on one hit and took advantage of an error, and trimmed the margin to 4-3 in the seventh after a Garrett Cook solo home run to left center.
King rallied with a run in the eighth to tie the game at 4 and Shane Timberlake opened the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff triple to the gap in left center. After intentional walks to Brandon Reed and Heath Williams loaded the bases, Tyler Gaby gave the Tornado an 8-4 victory with a walk-off grand slam homer to left.
Rudnik gave up three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk in seven strong innings. Brice Merritt took the loss in pitching an inning of relief. He gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits with a pair of walks and one strikeout.
Alex Martin picked up a no decision in working eight innings. He surrendered four runs (three earned) on seven hits, while fanning three and walking a pair. David Prichard and Nick Melcher (2-0) worked in relief.
The second game of the doubleheader began, but was suspended in the bottom of the second inning because of a severe storm front, which rolled through Bristol.
The Mountain Lions wrap up a three-game series against King College 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at the King College Baseball Field with the completion of the seven-inning game, followed by a nine-inning game. Go to http://yhcathletics.athleticsite.net/livestats/bb/xlive.htm for Live Stats.
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