TIGERVILLE, S.C. – North Greenville University jumped out to a six-run lead, but had to thwart a late-inning rally by Young Harris College to hold on for an 8-7 baseball victory Tuesday (March 27) afternoon at Ashmore Field.

The Crusaders improved to 22-11 while the Mountain Lions fell to 23-9. Young Harris returns to action Saturday when they travel to Madisonville, Tenn., for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (March 31) against Hiwassee College.

North Greenville touched up Young Harris starter Josh Rudnik (4-2) for five runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-0 led. Frank Polino had a two-run homer while Derek Fulmer and David Frazier each had RBI hits for the Crusaders.

The Mountain Lions began their comeback with a run in the sixth on Jack Morrow's run scoring single. Morrow finished with four RBI for Young Harris.

After the Crusaders got the run back in their half of the inning, Young Harris got two back in the seventh on back-to-back RBI singles by Zeke Gribble and Trey Rogers.  North Greenville pushed the lead to 8-3 on a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Young Harris mounted their final threat in the top of the ninth. Reliever Derek Fulmer walked the bases loaded with one out before David Atwood drove a run in on a sacrifice fly. Morrow followed with his team-leading ninth homer – a three-run blast - of the season to pull the Mountain Lions within a run at 8-7. Fulmer got out of further trouble when he got Adam Moore to strike out looking to end the game.

Andrew Lawrence (3-1) earned the win for the Crusaders.