GASTONIA, N.C. | The Young Harris College Baseball team completed an extraordinary comeback on Thursday (May 1) evening in the opening round of the 2025 Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship.  

The Mountain Lions fell behind 10-4 after Mount Olive hung six runs on Young Harris in the top half of the seventh inning. YH, under the direction of head coach Stephen Waggener, showed resiliency, pouncing their way back within four by the end of the seventh inning. After a scoreless frame put up by the Mountain Lions pitching staff, they found themselves with bases loaded and freshman Jonny Smith at the plate. Smith smoked the 2-1 pitch over the wall in left-center to tie the game at 10.  

In the bottom of the 10th, after a base hit from Smallwood, a walk drawn by Jonny Smith, and sacrifice bunt from Mark Castle; Kyle Chatham knocked a baseball up the middle of the infield to walk-off the Trojans of the University of Mount Olive, 11-10. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Jonny Smith led the way offensively for the Mountain Lions, picking up two hits, including the game tying grand slam in the eighth inning. 

• Designated Hitter Kade Smallwood drove in three runs for YH, racking up three hits, and drawing two walks in six plate appearances. 

• Kyle Chatham and Jack Enrico both tacked on two runs apiece for the Mountain Lions. 

• Jakhari Howard drove in five runs for the Trojans, hitting two home runs in the contest. 

• Jon Howard (2), Kayden Crawford (1), and Mike Kenney (1) drove in the other runs for UMO. 

• Starting pitcher Zach Hart pitched six innings for YH to start the game, surrendering five runs (3 ER), while fanning three Trojans. 

• Ryan Cross earned the win for the Mountain Lions, slamming the door on Mount Olive in the ninth and tenth inning, cutting down two, while maintaining the tie. 

• Lucas Glover went five strong innings for the Trojans, giving up three runs, walking five, and striking out six batters.  

• Trey Deutsch earned the loss for UMO, pitching two innings, allowing the grand slam off the bat of Smith, and the walk-off single to Chatham. 

UP NEXT:

With the victory, the Mountain Lions Baseball team advances in the winner's bracket, where they battle the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey on Friday (May 2) evening at CaroMont Health Park.