FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.  |  Tyler Washington drove in four runs, while T.J. Byrd hit a three-run homer as Young Harris College defeated Emmanuel (Ga.) College 9-5 in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday (April 3) evening.

The Mountain Lions, who are ranked eighth in the latest NCBWA regional ranking, improved to 23-11, while the Lions fell to 18-19. Young Harris hosts No. 9 University of North Georgia Friday (April 5) in the Battle of Blood Mountain at 7 p.m. at Zell B. Miller Field. 

Corley Reynolds put YHC on the board with a two RBI single to left field as part of an eight-run second inning. Byrd hit a three-run homer, his second of the season, to put the Mountain Lions up 5-0. Washington hit a bases-clearing double to left center to conclude the inning. It was the third consecutive game that YHC has scored eight runs in an inning.

Emmanuel scored a run in the second, two in the third, one in the fifth and eighth innings. Washington picked up his fourth RBI for Young Harris in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Zavier Lushington. 

Tucker Daniel (4-0) earned the win for the Mountain Lions as he allowed four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Washington went 2-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored, while Byrd had one hit, three RBI, and a run scored. Reynolds collected one hit, two RBI and a run scored. Tristin Smith and two hits and a run scored. Lushington had one hit and scored two hits, while Brett hawkins had a hit and a run scored. 

Livan Cordova (1-2) earned the loss for the Lions as he gave up five runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout in one inning pitched.