GASTONIA, N.C. | The Young Harris College Baseball team battled the Emmanuel University Lions on Saturday (May 3) evening at CaroMont Park in the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship semifinals. After an extensive rain delay, the battle of the big cats finally began. The Mountain Lions ruled from start to finish, swiftly taking care of business all night long. Young Harris earned win number 40 on the season and remained undefeated in championship play. 

QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH STEPHEN WAGGENER: 
"Great win for our season! We had great performances across the board in all three phases. Very proud of our group tonight." 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• YH took an early lead, with Kade Smallwood driving in the game's first run. 

• The Mountain Lions hung a five spot in the third inning to go up 6-0 over Emmanuel. 

• Young Harris decided to follow that exact same format the next inning, tacking on five more runs to take an eleven-run lead. 

• Jack Enrico launched a three-run home run into right field as part of that five run third. 

• The Lions got on the scoreboard in bottom of the fourth, with Bowden doubling to right center. 

• Mark Castle hit a ball past the right side of the infield that the second baseman could not handle, driving in two more insurance runs for the guys in lavender. 

• Castle and Enrico each accounted for five runs batted in. 

• Smallwood ended the night with four RBI. 

• Drew Bray, Jonny Smith, and Kaden Alford each knocked in a pair of runs for the Mountain Lions. 

• Luke Hatcher, Kyle Chatham, Carlos Martans, and Jeo Hernandez each drove in a YH run. 

• Starter Graham Edwards got out of an early bases loaded jam, making a great play to get the runner out at first base, just in the nick of time. 

• Edwards followed that up with five strong innings for YH, K'ing three Lions in route to victory. 

• Jacob Autry tossed the other two innings for the Mountain Lions, tossing two scoreless frames, and picking up a strikeout. 

• Will Sherman lasted just two innings as the Emmanuel starter, giving up five runs on six hits, in just two innings of work. 

• Altogether, the Mountain Lions offense exploded for 25 runs, 23 hits, and five walks drawn. 

• The Mountain Lions eclipsed their season high in runs scored and hits collected this season. 

• 25 runs marks the most runs scored in a Conference Carolinas Championship game since 2021 (per Nicole Klucharich). 

• First run rule of this year's conference championship. 

• All Young Harris College starters reached base, and the Mountain Lions reached base in every fashion as a team. 

UP NEXT:
With the victory over Emmanuel, the Mountain Lions have punched their ticket to Monday's (May 4) Conference Carolinas Championship game, with the opponent yet to be determined.